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16 NPP thugs arrested for invading UTV convicted; fined GH₵2400 each
Sixteen (16) thugs affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who were arrested for attacking the offices of United Television (UTV) on Saturday, October 7, 2023, have been convicted and fined 200 penalty units which amounts to Ghc2400 each by the Achimota Magistrate Court.
The men were charged with conspiracy to commit crime and rioting. They pleaded guilty to the charges and were subsequently convicted by the court.
On Saturday, October 7, while the station’s prime-time entertainment show, ‘United Showbiz’ was ongoing, the thugs stormed the studio of UTV, disrupted the live programme, and proceeded to threaten to assault the host and her guests.
It later emerged that the thugs were led by the Klottey Korle Youth Organizer of the NPP, allegedly under the orders of Ernest Owusu Bempah, a Deputy Director of Communications and other leading figures of the ruling party.
The group were upset that A Plus – a panellist on the show – tore into pieces a letter from the NPP leadership to the management of UTV requesting a reform of the United Showbiz panel.
The Ghana Journalists Association, The Information Ministry and several organisations condemned the invasion of the NPP thugs.
The National Chairman of the NPP Stephen Ntim subsequently rendered an unqualified apology to the management of UTV.
Chairman Ntim walked into the studios of Peace FM on Thursday and publicly condemned the action of the NPP thugs.
In rendering the apology, he assured the party leadership would ensure that such reprehensible action was not repeated.
Source: Citinewsroom
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
