Manhyia Palace denies bribery allegation

The Manhyia Palace has categorically denied media reports that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, facilitated alleged bribery of some justices of the Supreme Court to rule in favour of President John Dramani Mahama in the presidential election petition.

Describing the reports as a move to malign the Asantehene, the palace said very soon it would give 'an appropriate response' to the allegation.

A strongly-worded press statement issued by the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi yesterday said Manhyia was disgusted at the whole development.

The original report, according to the statement signed by Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia, the Bantamahene, and 14 other high-ranking chiefs in Asanteman, was carried in the September 4, 2013 edition of the New Free Press newspaper and subsequently reviewed on Kumasi-based Kessben FM on September 9, 2013 during the newspaper review segment on its Morning Show.

The statement said, 'The Manhyia Palace is disgusted by the writer's false and malicious allegations of the Asantehene's complicity in the whole article.'

According the statement, in the article, it was stated that 'The Manhyia Palace was the conduit through which the said bribery negotiation was effected.'

'The subsequent comments from individuals about the report can best be described as reprehensible and insulting,' it added.

In a related development, four macho men allegedly stormed the studios of Kessben FM on Monday evening and assaulted a disc jockey identified only as Eleven-Eleven in what was believed had links with discussions on the Asantehene's bribery allegation.

Sources said the men stormed the station looking for a man named Louis and when they could not find him, they assaulted the DJ, who was at post.

According to the sources, the police were called in to save the situation but that was after the said DJ had been severely assaulted and taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for treatment.

He was later treated and discharged.
A report was made to the police, who are investigating the matter.

By Kwame Asare Boadu/Daily Graphic/Ghana