By Hummu Kulssum Abdulai and Henrietta Afful
2022 witnessed the arrest and beginning of the prosecution of galamsey Kingpin, Aisha Huang after she re-entered Ghana. The traditionalist turned woman of God, Mama Pat, popularly known as ‘Nana Agradaa’ faced a series of court cases after she was alleged to have used dubious means to defraud several of her church members. Remember, Josephine Panyin? – the woman who faked a pregnancy and kidnapping in Takoradi? Tag along as we travel back to her time in court. In this segment GBCGHANAONLINE brings you some events from the courts that made the headline this year.
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MADINA CHARGED WITH DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY
In February, the Kaneshie District Court began a case against the Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu who was charged for unlawfully blocking a public road and the destruction of public property. The MP prayed the court to ensure the enforcement of his right to free movement, protest, demonstration, and personal liberty among others as stipulated under Article 14 clause ‘1’, 21 clause ‘1’, and 33 of the 1992 constitution.
JOSEPHINE PANYIN MENSAH WAS NEVER PREGNANT – COURT’S VERDICT
The Takoradi Harbour Circuit Court called the case of Josephine Panyin Mensah, who was alleged to have faked a pregnancy and kidnapping. A Medical Superintendent of the Axim Government Hospital, Dr. Jerry James Abobrah testified following a medical examination that Josephine was rather a healthy, non-pregnant and pre-menopausal woman. She was then convicted for the publication of false news with the intent to cause fear and panic contrary to section 208 of the Criminal Offences. When she finally appeared for judgement, the Court sentenced the accused to a fine of 600 penalty units or GH¢7,200.00 instead of the intended 3-years. This is because a pregnancy test conducted on her on November 15, 2022 confirmed her pregnant. “The law says you can’t sentence a pregnant person to prison hence I cannot sentence you to 3 years but to fine you 600 penalty units which is GH¢7200,” the Judge said.
MORE ON WOMAN AT THE CENTRE OF THE FAKE KIDNAPPING AND PREGNANCY CASE
‘FIXTHECOUNTRY’ CONVENOR IN COURT
Still in February, the #FixTheCountry Convener, Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor was charged with treason felony after he was arrested for comments he allegedly made on social media that he would stage a coup if the Electronic Transfer Levy, (E-levy) is passed into law.
READ MORE ON OLIVER BARKER-VORMAWOR
PRESIDING SPEAKERS CAN VOTE IN PARLIAMENT – COURT SAYS
On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, Ghana’s Apex Court ruled that Deputy Speakers of Parliament can vote even when they are presiding as Speaker. By this ruling, when a matter comes before Parliament that requires voting, a Deputy Speaker of Parliament while presiding in the absence of the Speaker of Parliament can add up to form a quorum and also vote on the matter.
MP FOR ASSIN NORTH CANNOT CONTINUE AS AN MP – COURT RULES
By a majority decision of 5-2, the Supreme Court ruled that Assin North Member of Parliament (MP) Mr. James Gyakye Quayson could no longer hold himself as an MP or perform Parliamentary duties. Subsequently, a Cape Coast High nullified the election of Mr. Quayson after it found out that he owed allegiance to Canada at the time he was filing his nominations to contest as an MP. The office of the Attorney General also charged Mr. James Gyekye Quayson with criminal offenses of deceit, forgery and others for misleading a public officer. When he finally appeared before the court, the Assin North MP, Mr James Gyekye Quayson, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
NPP REGIONAL CHAIRMAN CHARGED FOR FALSE ALLEGATIONS
An Accra Circuit Court granted the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC a bail sum of 100,000 Ghana Cedis, with two sureties. Abronye DC is said to have made allegations in a radio interview with Accra-based Hot FM during a political talk show, “Dwene Ho Bio” that Former President Mahama was involved in a coup plot.
PRODUCE FORMER MASLOC BOSS – COURT DEMANDS
After former MASLOC boss, Mrs Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu was granted bail, State prosecutors pursued the two sureties who posted bail for her, following her continuous absence from the trial. On the 18th of October, 2022, the Economic and Financial Division of the Accra High Court ordered the two sureties, to produce the accused by December 22, 2022. The two are a former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Mr Alex Mould and Mr. Gavivina Tamakloe. Mrs. Attionu is charged with 78 counts of causing financial loss to the state, stealing, and other charges.
COURT DISMISSES INJUNCTION ON E-LEVY
Back to the Apex Court, a seven-member panel presided over by Justice Nene Amegatcher dismissed an application for interlocutory injunction which sought to stop the government of Ghana and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from implementing Act 1075, the Electronic Transactions levy Tax. The application for injunction was filed by a group led by the Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Haruna Iddrisu.
AISHA HUANG, OTHERS IN COURT FOR GALAMSEY RELATED ACTIVITIES
Aisha Huang, the ‘galamsey kingpin’ who was deported in 2019, returned to Ghana and was re-arrested for engaging in illegal mining. She was handed two charges, mining without license and engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals without a valid licence. She is currently on bail while trial continues. Meanwhile the galansey queen released her lawyer, a strong member of the ruling party, Captain Nkrabea Effah Datteh of his services.
NANA AGRADAA CHARGED WITH FRAUD AND CHARLATAN ADVERTISEMENT
On Monday 10th October 2022, an Accra Circuit Court remanded the self-styled evangelist Patricia Asiedua Oduro, popularly known as Nana Agradaa and founder of the Heavens Way Champion International Ministry into police custody. This comes after she pleaded not guilty to one count of charlatan advertisement and six counts of defrauding by false pretence. On Monday, the 17th of October, 2022, the Accra Circuit Court, granted her bail of GHC50,000 but the accused is still on remand in another matter pending against her at the Circuit Court.`
