How a judge ‘swerved’ Wontumi Radio presenter in court

The legal tussle involving Wontumi Radio and TV presenter, Akyenkwaa Nana Kofi Asare, took another dramatic turn on Thursday, August 21, after the relieving judge at Circuit Court 9 closed proceedings without calling the case.

The development shocked many in the courtroom who had expected the matter to be heard, especially after both the prosecution and defence lawyers had agreed to bring the hearing forward from the originally proposed date of Monday, August 25.

Court records show that the case was initially scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, but was not heard because the court did not sit that day.

Following this, the prosecution reportedly pushed for a Monday hearing. After discussions with defence lawyers, both sides reached a compromise for the case to be called on Thursday, August 21.

However, the judge ended the day’s proceedings without mentioning Akyenkwaa’s matter, effectively extending the journalist’s detention in police custody.

Police Yet to Produce Accused

To add to the growing concerns, the police did not present Akyenkwaa in court on Thursday.

This means he will remain in custody beyond the period initially determined by the judge, raising serious questions about his rights and the judicial process.

The case has now been rescheduled for Monday, August 25, though uncertainty continues to surround how the proceedings will unfold.

How It All Started

The saga began on Tuesday, August 12, when Akyenkwaa Nana Kofi Asare was arrested in Ejisu by suspected National Security operatives.

His arrest followed controversial on-air remarks linking President John Mahama to the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which killed eight personnel.

The comments sparked public outrage and prompted Wontumi TV to issue a public apology to President Mahama, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Ghanaians at large.

On August 14, the Accra Circuit Court denied Akyenkwaa bail, remanding him into police custody. Defence counsel, Enoch Anhwere Afoakwah, described the ruling as unjust and vowed to challenge it at the High Court.