Power FM presenter found guilty, fined and jailed for contempt of court

A judge found Oheneba Boamah Bennie, a local broadcaster with Accra-based Power FM, guilty of contempt of court over comments deemed offensive to the judiciary.

Justice Elfreda Dankyi with an Accra High Court on Tuesday, February 8, slapped the journalist with a 14 day jail term and a ¢3,000 fine, reports myxyzonline.com.

The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame took action against Bennie over a Facebook video, claiming the President Akufo-Addo had met eight judges including the Chief Justice to influence them.

In the video, the host of ‘Battle Ground’ claimed the meeting happened just after the opposition National Democratic Congress hinted of challenging results of 2020 presidential election which saw the sitting president winner of the polls.

The journalist was later arrested and put before the court after he was charged by the State.

The Attorney General who made a strong case in court said Bennie, who works with the radio station affiliated to the opposition party, was using his post to suggest that judges, including the Justices of the Apex Court cannot independently decide on cases until they resort to directives from the President.

After months of adjournment amid back and forth in court, the judge held that Mr. Bennie was guilty and was convicted to a 14-day jail term and a fine after defense lawyers prayed the court to be charitable.

“I have made up my mind… I have been magnanimous”, the judge said.

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH

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