Editors jailed

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – On 23 July 1998, the Court of Appeal, by a 2 to 1 decision of Justices Sarpong and Essilfie-Bondzie, with Benin, J.A. dissenting, found two journalists, Haruna Atta, editor of “The Weekend Statesman”, and Kweku Baako Jr., of “The Guide”, guilty of contempt of court. The two have been sentenced to […]

(Free Expression Ghana/IFEX) – On 23 July 1998, the Court of Appeal, by a 2
to 1 decision of Justices Sarpong and Essilfie-Bondzie, with Benin, J.A.
dissenting, found
two journalists, Haruna Atta, editor of “The Weekend Statesman”, and Kweku
Baako Jr., of “The Guide”, guilty of contempt of court.

The two have been sentenced to one month’s imprisonment while their
publishers, Kinesic Publications and Western Publications respectively for
“The Weekend Statesman” and “The Guide”, were fined 10 million Cedis each
(about US$ 3,000).

Lawyers for the two journalists immediately filed a notice of appeal
together with a stay of execution of the court’s order pending the hearing
of the application. In the meantime, however, the two journalists have been
sent to prison custody and it is imperative that their lawyers would have to
apply for bail by the close of 24 July 1998.

The fear of many freedom of expression observers is that with the up-coming
vacation of the Supreme Court, any delay in granting bail will mean the two
journalists would have to spend the next month in prison custody thus, by
default, effectively serving their terms by the time the Courts resume
business in October to hear their application for stay of execution.

Recommended Action

Mr. Justice I.K. Abban, CJ

Office of the Chief Justice

Supreme Court Building, Accra

tel/fax: +233 21 663018

or
in care of The Judicial Secretary

Supreme Court Building, Accra

Fax: +233 21 665077