Connect FM’s staff embroiled in Ta’di kidnapping saga released

Paa Kwesi Simpson of Connect FM, a subsidiary of the Media General Group has successfully secured bail after serving three out of the fourteen days remand.

Media General announced its lawyers would appeal the decision of the circuit court not to grant the public figure bail.

An appeal at the High court today, November 8, saw an overturn in the decision of the circuit court, granting the journalist a bail to the tune of GH¢50,000 with two sureties, 3news reported.

He is also expected to report to the police once a week.

Paa Kwesi Simpson was arrested together with one, Stephen Kumi by the police after the latter, called into the program of the journalist with the report that a lady he had met on Facebook and began dating scheduled an appointment to visit him but never showed up, a police report said.

A friend of the alleged 26-year-old girlfriend to Stephen, called him to inform him the lady in question had been kidnapped with an amount of GH¢2,000 being demanded by the kidnappers, according to the police report.

After a publication of the story on ghanaweb.com, the police said, the suspects were arrested but efforts to locate the lady, Stephanie Kumiwaa was unsuccessful.

They were charged with 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.

In court on November 5, the prosecution demanded that the journalist be remanded on the basis that he can use his role as a media personality to interfere in the police investigation.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini