A presenter with Accra-based Radio XYZ, Salifu Maase, also known as Mugabe, has been charged by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service with offensive conduct and publication of false news capable of creating fear and panic.

This was announced by the Director-General of the CID, DCOP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, 2 April 2019, after revealing that the journalist, upon questioning, said he made the comment under the influence of a spirit.

Mugabe had claimed on his radio show that the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) had planned to assassinate Multimedia journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni for his recent exposé about a group known as De-Eye, which the journalist claimed was a militia group that had been camped at the Christianborg Castle and was being given military-style trained by the government.

The government denied the claims made by the documentary.

Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah told journalists at a press conference that the documentary put together by Joy FM clearly showed that the group was into finding jobs for young people rather than being a militia, as the report sought to portray.

Mugabe was invited by the CID following his assassination claim to assist with investigations.

Briefing journalists about the CID’s probe into the matter, DCOP Addo-Danquah said: “Mugabe was invited to come and assist because he provided dates that this assassination will take place. When he was invited, he said he was under the spirit. So, Mugabe Maase has been charged and is currently before court…”

Asked about the charges, DCOP Addo-Danquah said: “Mugabe has been charged with offensive conduct and publication of false news capable of creating fear and panic”.