Emmanuel Kwakye Asare, a broadcast journalist with Wontumi Multimedia, who was nabbed for publication of false news in relation to the helicopter crash, has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court.
Asare is said to have made comments to wit; “If your family member is part of those who died. You must hold President Mahama responsible because he is aware of everything.”
Charged with publication of false news with intent to cause fear and panic, Asare, 40, pleaded not guilty.
His counsel, Mr Enoch Anhwere Afoakwah, prayed the court to admit his client to bail because under the Constitution, an accused person was presumed innocent until he is proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Mr Afoakwah said Asare had a fixed place of abode at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region with a wife and six children.
According to defence counsel, the accused person owed no allegiance to any country than Ghana, hence he would not abscond.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmnauel Haligah, opposed the bail application saying investigations were underway.
ASP Haligah said if the court was minded to grant bail, the bail condition should compel the accused to appear to stand trial.
The court, presided over by Mr Bright Samuel Acquah, after listening to prosecution and defence counsel, recounted the court precedent in a matter in which someone who allegedly insulted former President Nana Addo was remanded.
Later when tempers cooled down, that accused person was admitted to bail.
In the same vain the court held that it would remand Asare into lawful custody because the issues surrounding the helicopter crash had sent Ghana and the whole world into mourning, with efforts being to ascertain the cause.
The court held that Asare’s pronouncement, which sought to involve the President as the cause of the accident, was really “causing panic and fear.”
It, therefore, turned down the bail application and remanded Asare to reappear on August 20, 2025.
The facts as presented by prosecution was that the complainant in the matter was the Ghana Police Service.
ASP Haligah said on August 9, 2025, Asare who was the host of “Nsempafie” programme on Wontumi Radio stated on live programme that President John Dramani Mahama caused the helicopter crash at Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.
“This statement, which is false has generated an uproar within a section of the populace.”
Prosecution said on August 12, 2025 Asare was arrested based on police intelligence.
During investigtions he admitted the offense in his caution statement.
Source: GNA
The post Journalist remanded over alleged publication of false news on cause of helicopter crash appeared first on Ghana Business News.
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