The Circuit Court in Accra has remanded Theophilus Akakpo Thompson, a 55-year-old sympathizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into police custody for assaulting a journalist.
Thompson had pleaded not guilty to two counts: assault and threats of death on Latiff Iddrisu, a journalist with Multimedia Group Limited, JoyNews, at the environs of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) while covering the arrest of NPP’s Asante Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi.
On Monday, June 9, Thompson’s lawyers, led by Enoch Afoakwah, prayed for bail on reasonable terms, arguing that Thompson has a fixed place of abode in Accra and within the jurisdiction, with people ready to stand as sureties.
However, Chief Inspector Olivia Ofori Atta, representing the prosecution, vehemently opposed the bail application, citing ongoing investigations and the need to prevent interference.
The prosecution argued that other culprits are yet to be arrested and prayed for Thompson’s remand, saying, “We are prepared to conduct an expeditious trial.”
The defense lawyer countered that the prosecution had not shown proof that Thompson would interfere with investigations.
The court, presided over by His Honor Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah, ruled, “I am not inclined to exercise my discretion in favor of the accused.”
Thompson was remanded into police custody until June 18, with the prosecution ordered to file disclosures within 10 days.
If the prosecution files the disclosures by the adjourned date, there will be a Case Management Conference (CMC).
Brief Facts
According to the prosecution, on May 27, 2025, EOCO arrested Chairman Wontumi, prompting NPP supporters to protest.
During the protest, Latiff Iddrisu was assaulted and threatened by Thompson and other supporters, who accused him of making a false broadcast.
The Prosecutor said, May 27, 2025, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) arrested Bernard Antwi Boasiako @ Chairman Wontuni, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP at their office in Accra.
She said, Some supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) massed up in front of the EOCO to protest the arrest of Bernard Antwi Boasiako @ Chairman Wontumi.
The Prosecutor said, ln same day, at about 7:00pm, the complainant was on duty at the scene to do a live broadcast on the 7:00 pm news on JoyNews.
In the process, “some of the supporters of the NPP claimed that, the complainant was making a false broadcast.”
Based on that, “some of the supporters including the accused person rushed on him and hit him on his head and ribs with their hands.”
Some of them also hit complainant with stones and spat on him.
Threats of death
Again, “the accused person and his accomplices who remain at large threatened the complainant with words to wit; “Today is your last day, we know where you are coming from and we know what we ean do.”
The complainant reported the matter to the Police and he was issued with a Police Medical Report Form to attend hospital.
READ: Fake Doctor Arrested in Kasoa for Fraud and Impersonation
The Medical Report submitted confirmed that, the complainant was indeed assaulted.
“A video footage of the incident was obtained and reviewed which identified the necused person and others at large as the persons who assaulted and threatened the complainant.
On June 7, 2025, “acting on intelligence, the Police arrested the accused person at James Town, Accra. In his statement, the accused person admitted being present at the scene and also hitting the complainant.”
He was charged with the offences. Efforts are being made to arrest his accomplices. Case under investigation.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
