The Tamale District Court has convicted two persons for assaulting a broadcast Journalist with Tamale-based Dagbon FM, Sadiq Abubakari Gariba.
They are former Deputy Northern Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Iddrisu Hardi Pagazaa and Mumuni Osman.
The Court presided over by His Worship Amadu Issifu sentenced the duo to a fine of 300 penalty units equivalent to GH¢3,600 on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
In default, they will serve a jail term of 18 months.
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The police charged the accused persons with conspiracy to commit a crime to wit assault, assault and unlawful entry.
However, the prosecution dropped the fourth charge of the threat of death.
The two accused persons pleaded guilty to all three charges against them.
Background
The NDC communicator together with his accomplice invaded the studios of Dagbon FM on Wednesday, May 3, and physically assaulted Sadiq Gariba on live radio.
The incident coincided with this year’s International Press Freedom Day celebration.
The government in a statement condemned the attack and called on the Ghana Police Service to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.
Other institutions including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) also condemned the incident and insisted on the arrest of the attackers.
The two were accordingly arrested by the police in the course of their investigations and arraigned before the court on Wednesday.
The accused persons reportedly paid their fines promptly upon the conviction.
