Influential Sydney rapper accused of taking part in gang rape of woman

A rising Australian rap star has been has been accused of participating in a gang rape of a drunken, sleeping woman two years ago. 

Emmanuel Amankwah, who performs as Manu Crooks, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault in company causing actual bodily harm following a complaint by a woman about a night in Sydney in 2022, reported The Daily Telegraph. 

Amankwah, 31, from Lidcombe in Sydney’s west, is in a relationship with well known Sydney singer and hip hop dancer Amarni who was reportedly by his side when he fronted Parramatta Bail Court on Thursday. 

A police prosecutor told the court the woman could not consent because she was intoxicated and asleep when the alleged offending occurred and that it left her with bruises. 

The court heard four men including Amankwah were allegedly involved and that one of them had made ‘some admissions’ about the night.

But Amankwah’s defence lawyer, Abdul Lazki, said there were some serious deficiencies in the case.

‘The complaint is made, first, almost two years after the fact, but more importantly, in circumstances where the complainant was highly intoxicated and there are references to a significant amount of drug use,’ Mr Lazki told the court.

‘A witness says they saw [my client] leave the bedroom [and] he instructs me that he was not actually in the bedroom during the time that the alleged incident took place.’

In his application for bail Mr Lazki said his client would be ‘vulnerable’ in custody and could be trusted to reappear. 

‘He has significant community ties, his partner is before the court, and the fact sheet makes reference to him being a musician and an online personality who is well known,’ Mr Lazki said.

He also noted there was no criminal history. 

However Magistrate Michael Stoddart said he did not believe cause had been shown to why Amankwah should be granted bail given the alleged offence was ‘very serious’ and, if convicted, he would likely be sentenced to a significant jail term. 

Amankwah who moved from Ghana to Australia as a 12-year-old released his debut EP in 2017 as Manu Crooks, which saw him attain a cult following and praise from former BBC DJ and music critic Zane Lowe.

He has performed at festivals in Australia including Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival and in the US 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 track ‘Beyonce’ was among the top five songs played on Instagram that year.

She has performed at festivals in Australia including the Electric Lunar Festival and also overseas including an appearance on late night TV in Brazil.

Amankwah remains in custody until his next hearing on August 22 at Downing Centre Local Court. 

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