The Accra FM presenter pleaded not guilty to the charges of publication of false news and offensive conduct.
Kwabena Bobie Ansah, a presenter with Accra FM – a radio station affiliated to opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) – has been granted GHC50,000 bail by the Kaneshie Circuit Court.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges of publication of false news and offensive conduct. The case has been adjourned to 14 March 2022.
A statement from the police on Friday (11 February) said: “Kwabena Bobbie Ansah of Accra FM was arrested yesterday, February 10, 2022, by the Accra Regional Police Command in connection with an alleged case of publication of false news and offensive conduct.
“His arrest became necessary after he turned down several invitations from the police to him and others involved in the case to assist with investigation. The Accra Regional Police Command will issue a full statement on the matter in due course.”
Mahama’s rant
A day after his arrest, the former President John Mahama wrote an open letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo condemning what he described as “growing criminalisation of speech and journalism in Ghana.”
Mahama’s open letter, which was posted on Facebook said: “This is a dangerous blueprint you are fashioning for our dear nation and it must not be encouraged. Your actions as President have totally discredited your self-acquired accolade as a human rights lawyer and activist. Ghana has long emerged from the unfortunate past where journalists were cowed by incarceration and brutalization.
“I fear that if you do not take immediate action to arrest this unfortunate trend, when you exit the high office of President in January 2025, freedom of speech and a free media will certainly not be counted as part of the legacy you leave behind.”
Class FM’s response
Meanwhile, the Group general manager of Class Media Group (CMG) Mawuli Ocloo has negated claims by the Greater Accra Regional Police command that the presenter declined several invitations from the police to assist in investigations of false publications.
He added that last week he received a letter from the Cantonments Divisional Police Command requesting assistance and recordings of the show from 10 -17 January 2022.
In the said police letter, there was no indication Nana Bobie Ansah was wanted by the police.
“There was nowhere in the said police letter that the presenter was wanted by the police,” the station’s website quoted him.
Source: Asaase
