Crime & Punishment of Monday, 29 March 2010

Source: GNA

Court adjourns case of Rawlings accuser

Accra, March 29, GNA - Prosecution in the case of Nana Darkwa Baafi,=

the man who accused former President Rawlings on Radio, of burning his ho= use on Monday said they have not yet received the tape recordings from Top Radio. Deputy Superintendent of Police E.Y. Frimpong therefore sought an adjournment from the Circuit Court presided over by Mr. C.A Wilson. The court therefore adjourned the matter to April 15, amidst heavy secur= ity presence at the court premises.

Nana Darkwa Baafi was escorted in the company of six well built men into a waiting car. On March 15, this year, the court granted the prosecution a subpoena, which was to be served on the Management of Top Radio, an Accra- based radio station to produce a copy of the recordings of its morning show on February 18. The accused has been charged with publishing false news with the intent to cause fear and alarm in violation of the criminal Act 208.

Nana Darkwa however pleaded not guilty to the charges. In February this year, one Ishmael and the accused were contributing= to a discussion programme on Top Radio FM where the accused made a statement=

that former President J.J. Rawlings intentionally burnt his Ridge residen= ce because he wanted a replacement.

Nana Darkwa was arrested by personnel from the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters, after a complaint by Mr Kofi Adams, Spokesperson for= Former President Rawlings.

The statement angered many listeners of the programme, compelling so= me of them to rush to the precincts of the radio station. The Police rushed to the station to protect lives and property during which the panellists were whisked away to safety.

When Nana Darkwa was interrogated at the Greater Accra Regional Pol= ice Headquarters, he admitted the offence and asked for forgiveness.