A journalist with Kumasi-based Zuria FM, Yussif Abdul Ganiu, known as “Nshola,” has been convicted by the Asokwa District Court for making inflammatory comments likely to disrupt public peace.
Judge Afia Densi Asare-Kyire delivered the verdict on charges of offensive conduct conducive to a breach of public peace.
The prosecution demonstrated beyond doubt that Mr Ganiu’s remarks were substantiated by both video and documentary evidence.
Assistant State Attorney Kwabena Amponsah Asare revealed that on April 20, 2021, Mr Ganiu made provocative remarks on live radio and Facebook, targeting Sheikh Mohammed Ridwan, CEO of Alpha Radio, an Islamic scholar, and philanthropist.
Mr Ganiu accused Ridwan of misappropriating public property and incited the Zango youth to revolt.
Additionally, Mr Ganiu stirred the Kumasi Muslim community against Ridwan, urging them to boycott Alpha Radio for its inclusive programming.
The court, after reviewing all evidence from both the prosecution and defense, dismissed Mr Ganiu’s plea and imposed a fine of 500 penalty units (GH¢ 6000) or a three-month prison term in default.
Mr Ganiu was also ordered to publicly retract his statements on the same platform and sign a bond to maintain good behavior.
“I am exonerated. This is all that I wanted the court to do for me”, Shiekh Ridwan told the Daily Graphic reporter in a brief interview after the court proceedings.
“My FM station is open to everyone… be it a Muslim or a Christian”, he said and that radio was rather a platform to bring people together and not a tool to tarnish people’s hard-earned reputation.
He stated that all he required was for the public, especially the Muslim community in Kumasi, to dismiss the negative comments made against him, as they had been condemned by a competent court.