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Michael Ayitey Okai, the prominent Ghanaian boxer better known as Ayitey Powers, has been remanded into custody for one week by the Dansoman Circuit Court. The judicial order follows his arrest in connection with alleged death threats directed at Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA). The incident has sparked significant concern within the national sporting community, marking a severe escalation in the boxer's publicized disputes with sports administrators.
The arrest took place on August 24, 2026, after a video surfaced on social media featuring Ayitey Powers making threatening remarks toward the NSA head. Following his initial court appearance on August 25, the Accra Regional Police Command has been tasked with continuing investigations into the matter. Powers is currently scheduled to reappear in court on September 2, 2026, while authorities work to finalize their case regarding the alarming video evidence that prompted the police intervention.
In response to the incident, the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC) has issued a stern condemnation of the boxer's behavior, labeling the alleged threats as criminal. The GBIMC has called for a thorough investigation and prosecution, while simultaneously initiating its own internal disciplinary proceedings against Powers. The conflict reportedly stems from the boxer's intense frustration over several canceled boxing events, which he claims have led to significant personal financial losses. Despite these grievances, sports authorities have emphasized that such disputes must be handled through official channels rather than through intimidation or public threats.
As the legal process unfolds, the Accra Regional Police Command has cautioned the public against sharing unverified information that could jeopardize the ongoing investigation or prejudice the case. The outcome of this hearing is expected to set a precedent regarding the professional conduct of athletes and the protection of public officials in the sporting sector. The sports world now looks toward the September 2 hearing to see how the court will address the intersection of financial grievances and alleged criminal conduct.