'I deserve a better explanation for my incarceration' - Ken Kuranchie

Kenneth Agyei Kuranchie, Editor of the Daily Searchlight Newspaper

Editor of the Daily Searchlight Newspaper, Kenneth Agyei Kuranchie has said he intends to ask the Supreme Court to define the basis for the contempt charges which were leveled against him.

'My issue of arrest is an issue that I am considering seriously not to leave and to let alone because as I sit here, I do not know who called for my arrest' he said.

Ken Kuranchie served 10 days in prison after he was found guilty of criminal contempt by the Supreme Court for making prejudicial comments about the election petition case.

Revealing his intentions on The Big Issue on Saturday, Mr. Kuranchie indicated that this medium of summoning has 'opened a door in which other people necessarily given similar circumstances will be forced to walk through' adding that in his opinion 'that door needs to be closed.'

'There are two types of contempt of court; there is contempt in the face of the court, and the liberty press issue (contempt that happens outside the purview of the court, that someone necessary must bring to the notice of the court).

Therefore, the issue I am raising is that who reported my matter to the Supreme Court, who reported Atubiga to the Supreme Court, who reported Sir John and all the others to the Supreme Court?' he questioned.

According to Mr. Kuranchie, he sees himself as a victim because; even a record of his proceedings has not been given to him, although his counsel has applied.

Narrating how he was summoned, Mr. Kuranchie said after a radio announcement on Thursday, he was given an invitation on Friday, thereby appearing before the court on Tuesday.

He said: 'my charges were not defined and my invitation letter was used like a charge sheet because I was asked to answer to the specifics on the invitation letter.'

Mr. Kuranchie further stated that, he would seek clarity on the bases for which he was made to stand on his feet all through his proceeding for nearly three hours.

'I would like to know from the judiciary because, they know law and I don't. What gives a judge the right to order anyone to stand on his feet for three hours? I would like to know.

Which part of the penal code allows them to order an accused person, or a suspect or a litigant before court to stand on his feet for three hours with television cameras on me broadcasting around the whole world?' he asked.

By: Winnifred P. Ndamse/citifmonline.com/Ghana