Media General to appeal remand against its journalist

Media General Ghana Limited, owners of TV3 network and Connect FM says, its lawyers are preparing to file a notice to appeal a decision by a Circuit Court in Takoradi, to detain its presenter, Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson.

Mr. Simpson, who is the host of the morning show, ‘Omanbapa’, on Connect FM in Takoradi, was remanded yesterday into police custody for two weeks, together with one other person, Stephen Kumi.

They have been charged with the publication of false news with the intent of causing fear and alarm to the public contrary to the Public Order Act, and false publication of news through an electronic device contrary to the Electronic Communications Act, 775 of 2008.

The case in connection, was an alleged kidnapping incident, involving a 26-year-old woman at Mpohor.

They both however pleaded not guilty to the charges and are to reappear in court on November 16, 2021.

The defence counsel for the two, in his plea for bail, said Stephen Kumi must be treated as a victim in the case, while Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson must be seen as one who was only doing his work as a journalist.

The Takoradi Police Divisional Command in a statement yesterday said it was investigating an alleged case of the kidnapping of a 26-year-old woman named Stephanie Kumiwaa at Mpohor.

The victim is said to have informed her boyfriend of visiting on October 17, 2021, but didn’t show up.

According to the statement from the police, their checks at the Mpohor Police District Command indicated that no such case had been reported.

The police also said efforts to find the residence and relatives of the said victim turned out ineffective.

The said boyfriend of the victim was arrested by the police, together with Paa Kwesi Simpson, a broadcaster with Connect FM, who is said to have published the story of the missing victim on Ghanaweb.