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Michael Ayitey Okai, the prominent Ghanaian boxer popularly known as Ayitey Powers, has been remanded into police custody for one week by the Dansoman Circuit Court. The court's decision, delivered on August 25, 2026, follows his arrest by the Accra Regional Police Command. Powers is facing allegations of issuing death threats against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, marking a sharp legal turn in the veteran boxer's ongoing disputes with sports administrators.
The arrest was reportedly triggered by a video circulating on social media in which Powers made threatening remarks directed at the NSA boss. Following the surfacing of this digital evidence, law enforcement moved to secure the boxer and bring him before the court. The remand period is intended to allow the police to conclude their investigations into the matter while ensuring that the legal process proceeds without potential interference.
This incident is the culmination of a long-standing and contentious relationship between Ayitey Powers and the NSA leadership. The boxer has frequently complained about the cancellation of boxing events, which he claims resulted in substantial financial losses. While his grievances have been public for some time, the Boxing Interim Management Committee has moved to condemn his recent actions. The committee emphasized that such threats are unacceptable within the sporting fraternity and has called for immediate legal proceedings to maintain the integrity of the sport.
As the sports community awaits Powers' next court appearance, the case has highlighted deeper tensions regarding the management of boxing and the professional conduct of athletes in Ghana. Beyond the immediate legal implications for the boxer, the situation raises questions about the security of sports officials and the mechanisms available for athletes to resolve financial and administrative disputes. The outcome of this case is expected to set a precedent for how such conflicts are addressed in the future.