The Tamale District Court presided over by His Worship Amadu Issifu on Wednesday (May 10, 2023) sentenced the former Deputy Northern Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Iddrisu Hardi Pagazaa, and his accomplice, Mumuni Osman, for assaulting broadcast Journalist with Tamale based Dagbon FM, Sadiq Abubakari Gariba.
The duo were both convicted to a fine of 300 penalty units amounting to three thousand, six hundred Ghana cedis (GHS3,600) or in default serve a jail term of 18 months.
The accused persons were charged with conspiracy to commit crime to wit assault, assault and unlawful entry. However, the fourth charge of threat of death was withdrawn by the Prosecution.
Appearing in court, the two accused persons pleaded guilty to all the three charges against them.
Background
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that the NDC communicator together with his accomplice invaded the studios of Dagbon FM on Wednesday, May 3, and physically assaulted the journalist, Sadiq Gariba, on live radio. The incident coincided with this year’s International Press Freedom Day celebration.
The government in a statement condemned the attack and called on the Ghana Police Service to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. Other institutions including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) also condemned the incident and insisted for the arrest of the attackers.
The two were accordingly arrested by the police in the course of their investigations into the matter and were arraigned before a court on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, THE CUSTODIAN has learnt the accused persons upon the conviction accordingly paid their fines to the court.
