A rising Australian rap star has been accused of taking part in the gang rape of a drunken, sleeping woman two years ago.
Emmanuel Amankwah, who plays Manu Crooks, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault in company causing actual bodily harm following a woman’s complaint about a night out in Sydney in 2022, reported The Daily Telegraph.
Amankwah, 31, from Lidcombe in Sydney’s west, is in a relationship with well-known Sydney hip hop singer and dancer Amarni, who was reportedly at her side when she appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Thursday.
A police prosecutor told the court that the woman was unable to consent because she was drunk and asleep when the alleged crime occurred and that it left her with bruises.
The court heard that four men, including Amankwah, were allegedly involved and that one of them had made “some admissions” about that night.
But Amankwah’s defense lawyer, Abdul Lazki, said there were some serious flaws in the case.
“The complaint is made, firstly, almost two years after the incident, but more importantly, in circumstances where the complainant was highly intoxicated and there are references to significant drug use,” Mr Lazki told the court.
“A witness says he saw (my client) leave the bedroom (and) tells me he was not actually in the bedroom during the time the alleged incident occurred.”
Sydney rapper Manu Crooks (left) was charged with sexual assault in a company and was supported in court by his girlfriend, hip hop singer and dancer Amarni (right).
In his bail application, Lazki said his client would be “vulnerable” in custody and could be trusted to reappear.
“He has significant community ties, his partner is in court and the fact sheet refers to him being a musician and a well-known online personality,” Mr Lazki said.
He also noted that he had no criminal record.
However, Magistrate Michael Stoddart said he did not believe there was cause to be shown for Amankwah to be granted bail given the alleged offence was “very serious” and if convicted he would likely be sentenced to a significant prison term.
Both Amarni and Manu Crooks (pictured in music videos) have performed in Australia and abroad and have cited the Atlanta music scene in the US as an influence.
Amankwah, who moved from Ghana to Australia when he was 12, released his debut EP in 2017 as Manu Crooks, which saw him achieve a cult following and praise from former BBC DJ and music critic Zane Lowe.
He has performed at festivals in Australia, including Splendour at the Grass and Falls Festival, and in the United States at the Rolling Loud festival in Miami.
His girlfriend Amarni is also a well-known artist with hundreds of thousands of followers on social media and her 2022 song ‘Beyonce’ was among the top five most-streamed songs on Instagram that year.
He has performed at festivals in Australia, including the Electric Lunar Festival, and also overseas, including an appearance on late-night television in Brazil.
Amankwah remains in custody until his next hearing on 22 August at Downing Centre Local Court.