…As Sowutuom NDC official jailed 4 years, but Wontumi’s NPP presenter walks free
A Circuit Court in Accra, has sentenced Mohammed Ibrahim, a Sowutuom Branch Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to four years in prison, for inciting violence and spreading false information.
Ironically, the Ghana Police Service, has allowed Oheneba Nana Asiedu, a presenter at the Kumasi-based Wontumi FM and TV, who was arrested for publishing false news, an offence under Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), to walk free.
Judge Evelyn E. Asamoah, handed down the sentence to Mohammed Ibrahim on Friday, November 29, 2024.
Ibrahim, who also identifies himself as the Leader of a Revolutionary Group called, “Kanawu” (meaning “Speak and Die”), was arrested on September 10, 2024, after a video recording of him making inciting statements published on social media platforms.
Wontumi FM and TV, is owned by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi
Boasiako alias “Chairman Wontumi”. Although the Kumasi police arrested him, they are yet to put him before court unlike Mohammed Ibrahim, the Sowutuom Branch Organiser of the NDC.
The arrest, announced by the Police in a statement on Saturday, November 23, 2024, follows the circulation of a video on social media, showing Oheneba Nana Asiedu, making claims deemed misleading regarding the upcoming December 7 general elections.
According to the police, the video, recorded in the studios of Wontumi FM in Kumasi, depicts the presenter encouraging voters to cast their ballots for presidential candidates on separate days starting with 7 December as the date for the NPP’s Dr Mahamudu Bawumia —a statement described by authorities as “false and likely to disturb public peace.”
Oheneba Nana Asiedu’s conduct, was seen as one of the most egregious crimes against the 2024 election as it attracted condemnations from the Electoral Commission (EC), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and others, including the 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama. But the Ashanti Regional Police administration, appears unready to prosecute him.
In the case of Ibrahim, he made a video alleging that the Police Service in the Ashanti Region, was recruiting fake police personnel to kill citizens during the upcoming December 7, 2024, General Elections.
He also threatened to unleash violence during the elections and claimed that he and his cohorts knew the residential address of the Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, and would shoot him in the event of war.
Ibrahim was charged with three counts: Publication of False News with Intent to Cause Fear and Alarm to the Public, Threat of Harm, and Offensive Conduct Conducive to Breach of Peace.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the court found him guilty and sentenced him to three and four years in prison for each count.
The prosecution, called three witnesses and tendered 10 exhibits during the trial, which began on September 13, 2024.
Ibrahim’s counsel, Francis-Xavier Sosu, had prayed for an expeditious hearing, which was granted by the court.
Ibrahim claimed in the video that the Ashanti Region’s Police Service, was hiring phony officers to murder civilians in preparation for the general elections scheduled for December 7, 2024. In addition, he said that he and his associates knew Henry Quartey’s home location and would shoot him in the event of conflict, and he vowed to use violence during the elections.
Ibrahim faced three charges: Threat of Harm, Offensive Conduct Conducive to Breach of Peace, and Publication of False News with Intent to Cause Fear and Alarm to the Public. The court found him guilty of all counts, notwithstanding his plea of not guilty, and sentenced him to three and four years in jail, respectively.
The trial started on September 13, 2024, when the prosecution called three witnesses and presented ten exhibits. Francis-Xavier Sosu, Ibrahim’s attorney, requested an expedited hearing, and the court approved it.
Amongst those who called for the prosecution of the Morning Show host of Wontumi Radio in Kumasi Oheneba Nana Asiedu, was a lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Okyere Ankrah. He called on the Police to deal with the matter decisively.
Speaking to Accra-based OKAY FM, Dr Okyere Ankrah, indicated that this issue must not be taken lightly.
He believes that if the radio host is punished for breaching the law, it will serve as a deterrent to many who intend to misinform and disinform the public during the electioneering period. “The guy is not normal I should say.
He was not even consistent with his propaganda. The Electoral Commission is the only body in charge of setting dates for elections so how can you do that on radio.
He should not be left of the hook. He must be made to face the laws of the land so he learns his lessons. Disinformation is a canker and can cause major problems so I will urge the Police to ensure he is dealt with,” he said.
