Mr Oheneba Boamah Bennie, a Broadcast Journalist with Accra-based Power FM, who was jailed for 14 days after he was found guilty of contempt of court, has completed his sentence.
He was released from the Nsawam prison on Monday, February 21, 2022.
An Accra High Court on February 8, 2022, sentenced Mr Boamah to 14 days imprisonment for contempt of court.
The Broadcaster, who is the host of “Battle Ground” programme on Power FM, was jailed for publishing a video on his Facebook wall, which claimed that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo had met with eight justices of the Supreme Court and influenced them ahead of the 2020 election petition.
The Court presided over by Justice Elfreda Dankyi also fined the Broadcaster GHC 3000.
In a video on social media, a group of well-wishers, relatives, friends and staff of Power FM, were seen welcoming Mr Boamah as he made his way out of the entrance of the Nsawam prison.
Mr Boamah looked delighted and smiled as he was embraced and “cheered” by his sympathisers.
The sympathisers were heard repeatedly referring to Mr Boamah as the “Freedom Fighter,” as they ushered him out of the forecourt of the prison.
The Attorney-General in December 2020 dragged Mr Boamah to court for contempt after he claimed that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had influenced some justices of the Supreme Court after the declaration of the 2020 presidential election results.
In an application for contempt, the A-G averred that the comments by Bennie were false and were meant to bring the Judiciary into disrepute.
The A-G argued that the culprit ought to be penalised to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The respondent’s (Bennie) contumacious comments were absolutely false, as neither the Chief Justice nor any judge had either been to the Jubilee House or met anywhere with the President of Ghana following the declaration of the results of the presidential election.
“His false publication clearly intended to undermine public confidence in the Judiciary and administration of justice in Ghana generally, as well as court contempt and disaffection for the courts,” the affidavit in support for the application stated.
Justice Dankyi in her ruling held that Mr Boamah was guilty of the charge against him and that she was charitable with the sentence.
“I have been benevolent,” the Justice stated when counsel for Mr Bennie, Mr Victor Kojoga Adawudu, prayed the court to be charitable.
Ashantibiz
