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Accra FM’s Bobie Ansah Reportedly Arrested After his Late Night Show

  • Date of Occurrence
    February 11, 2022
  • Details
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The Host of ‘The Citizen Show’ on Accra FM, Kwabena Bobbie Ansah, has been arrested by some persons believed to be National Security operatives.

According to reports, the men in police uniform, who reportedly failed to disclose their identities, arrested Mr. Ansah, an employee of the radio station, which is a subsidiary of the Class Media Group (CMG).

Although an official explanation has not been given for his arrest, Citi News sources say he may have been picked up over a post he made on Facebook, in which he claimed that the “current judiciary is corrupt and made up of crooks and criminals led by a corrupt Chief Justice who’s struggling to purge himself of a $5 million thievery allegation”.

The broadcaster was picked up at the entrance of Class Media Group shortly after 10:00pm on Thursday, just when his programme which airs daily had ended.

According to a source at the radio station, it appears the men had laid ambush around the premises of the station for the host to end his programme in order for them to pick him up.

“He was ambushed. We don’t know where he is being sent to,” the source said.

Shortly after the arrest, the Producer of the show, Kwame Kwakye, came on air to announce it.

“Kwabena Bobbie Ansah, the Host of ‘The Citizen Show’ and also a staff of CMG, specifically Accra FM,  has just been arrested by unknown policemen. We do not know where they’re stationed, neither do we know where they’re taking Bobbie Ansah. We don’t know what his crime is and which police station he’s been sent to. He was picked up right after ‘The Citizen Show’. He was arrested with a National Security car that had police officers in it without identity.”

Meanwhile, Citi News sources say Mr. Ansah may have been taken to the Nima Police Station.

He becomes the third journalist to have been arrested in recent times.

Some observers of the political space have been worried about the trend, suggesting that the government is perpetuating a culture of silence, whereas others are of the view that these actions are necessary to sanitize the system to promote responsible journalism for the peace and stability of the country.

Actions Taken

Bobie Ansah granted GH¢50K bail; case adjourned to March 14

Accra FM’s presenter, Kwabena Bobie Ansah has been granted a GH¢50,000 bail, after he was picked up by police late Thursday night.

He has been charged with the publication of false news and offensive conduct.

His bail is with two sureties.

The Kaneshie District Court, where the case was heard on Friday, February 11, 2022, has also adjourned the case to March 14, 2022.

According to the facts of the case as presented by the police, Mr. Bobie Ansah on January 1, 2022, accused the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo and the Second Lady, Mrs. Samira Bawumia of granting themselves “state lands at AU Village, around the Kotoka International Airport for the construction of [the] Rebecca Foundation”.

According to the writ sighted by Citi News, Mr. Ansah went on further to call the First Lady “a thief and that she has stolen state land around the Kotoka International Airport,” a statement he knew was “likely to occasion the breach of the peace” in the country.

Police say Bobie Ansah was invited several times to assist in investigations but failed to honour the invitations.

Police are also looking for three persons they believe are complicit in the allegations.

“Investigations so far revealed that the publication by the accused person and his [three] accomplices is false. Efforts are underway to arrest the accomplices to assist in investigations.”

Earlier, some supporters of the journalist picketed at the Striking Force unit of Greater Accra Regional Police Command at Accra Central to demand his release.

An ardent listener of Bobbie Ansah, Adams Mohammed, told Citi News that he is appalled by the “growing trend of intimidation of journalists.”

“I have been here for about an hour now. I was surprised at the news of his arrest. I think it is unfair. I am here to ensure that he is released.”

Another listener said, “he has done nothing wrong. We will not leave until he is released.”

Details
  • Date of Occurrence
    2022-02-11
  • Perpetrator
    Non-uniformed national Security operatives.
  • Source
    https://citinewsroom.com/2022/02/bobie-ansah-granted-gh%C2%A250k-bail-case-adjourned-to-march-14/
Region
  • Ghana
Rights & Freedom Violated
  • Press Freedom
Gender of Victim(s)
  • Male
Mode of Attacks
  • Forced Disappearances, Unlawful Arrests and Detention
  • Comments are closed.
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