The Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson has been granted bail after pleading not guilty to two criminal charges.
The Police have charged him with publication of false news and offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace.
This was after he had published on Facebook a claim alleging that President Akufo-Addo’s relatives used the Presidential jet on a shopping spree in the United Kingdom.
He later retracted and apologized for the post.
He has also been asked to pay a bail sum of ¢50,000 with two sureties; and also report to the investigating officer at the Teshie District Police Command at least twice a week.
The Police Prosecutor in charge of the case, Inspector Ebenezer Tei Okuffo, prayed the court to remand Mr. Thompson, arguing that he was to assist with investigation.
The Prosecutor said the accused had once already refused to honour the invitation of the police, only to turn himself in when an arrest warrant was issued against him, hence he might not present himself to the police for further investigation.
He had earlier described Mensah Thompson’s post as inciting, stating that it could bring bodily harm to the family of the President should the youth go irate as a result of the post.
Lawyer of the accused debunked the assertions of the prosecutor on the grounds that Mensah Thompson had only failed to honour the police invitation because he was writing an exam at that time.
Victor Kojogah Adawudu, further argued that it was not the place of the accused to aid the police in investigations.
However, the presiding magistrate, Ohenea Kuffuor told the court that the post was not inciting as the Police Prosecutor was alleging.
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