Ghana: the media threatened prosecution for publications on judicial corruption case

The lawyer for a group of judges involved in a recent case of corruption in Ghana has threatened, on behalf of its clients, to take legal action against any member of the media who would dare publish the video documentary on the case.

The lawyer, Nii Kpakpo Addo, has issued threats to Citi FM, a private radio station based in Accra November 18, 2015.

"Monday or Tuesday, we'll notify you a quote to any individual who has had to do with the said petition, which has published the defamatory article, said Mr. Addo. Reproduction of a defamatory article in itself defamatory so if you have articulated or reproduced, you should expect to prosecution, "said Mr. Addo.

The match MFWA reported that the video, which shows some 34 judges in the alleged act of receiving bribes to influence court records that they were in charge, was produced by the Ghanaian investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who was subsequently petitioned the president to sack the judges involved

If the threats are put into effect, much of the media would be affected, as it is true that the case was handled and discussed extensively in Ghanaian media.

On September 18, another judge involved in the scandal, Uuter Paul Dery, filed contempt proceedings against Anas and four other people, including the Executive Director of the Foundation for West Africa in Medias, MFWA, Sulemana Braimah for having made a joint public viewing videos.

Despite the fact that the contempt trial was not successful, the judge was able to prevent the defendants to present the videos as expected in Kumasi, the second largest city in Ghana.

The MFWA calls to Ghana media not to be distracted or intimidated by threats but to continue to exercise their profession without fear.