Kumasi, Feb. 3, GNA - The Akan Film Producers Association, has expressed disappointment at the judgment of a circuit court in Kumasi in the case involving a pirate gang, last Friday. The association said the court was too lenient with the suspects and believed that the ruling would encourage people to continue to illegally reproduce intellectual property. In an interview with Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, Mr. Samuel Nyamekye, president of the association, said the judgement was unfair and advised the members to remain calm since the association would appeal against the verdict.

The court, presided over by Mr. D.P.W Amedior, imposed a fine of GH¢1,500 or serve 12 months in prison each on Issah Osman and Kabiru Amadu, two of the suspects, who pleaded guilty to the charge of piracy. Labaru Sumanu and Abdul Raman Mumuni, accomplices in the case, pleaded not guilty and were each granted GH¢10,000 bail with a surety to be justified.

Mr. Kwame Anim Adu-Antwi, counsel for the association, told GNA that he drew the attention of court that the judgement was in contravention of section 43 of the 1992 Constitution, which indicated that a fined of between GH¢6,000 and GH¢10,000 or imprisonment of not more than three years should be meted against piracy culprits.