An Accra Circuit Court has granted bail to broadcast journalist Emmanuel Kwakye Asare in a case involving the publication of alleged false news about the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash.
Asare, a presenter with Wontumi Multimedia, appeared in court on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, dressed in black and remained composed throughout proceedings.
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He was granted bail of GH¢100,000 with two sureties, both of whom must be civil servants, with one earning not less than GH¢5,000.
Per the court’s directive, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, Asare must report weekly to the Special Investigations Unit of the Ghana Police Service. The case has been adjourned to September 1, 2025.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Daniel Danku on behalf of ASP Emmanuel Haligah, had earlier opposed bail, arguing that disclosures were still being prepared.
Judge Acquah initially deferred his ruling on August 25, 2025, before granting bail.
Prosecutors told the court that during a live broadcast of his show Nsempafie on Wontumi Radio on August 9, Asare claimed: “If your family member is part of those who died, you must hold President Mahama responsible because he is aware of every.”
They alleged that Asare falsely accused former President John Mahama of causing the crash at Akrofoum in the Ashanti Region, sparking public uproar.
He was arrested on August 12, 2025, following police intelligence and, according to investigators, admitted the offence in his caution statement.
He has since pleaded not guilty to the charge of publishing false news with the intent to cause fear and panic.
The accused is before the court for publication of false news, having claimed on his programme on August 9, 2025, that President John Mahama knew about the circumstances surrounding the crash that threw the entire nation into mourning.
“If your family member is part of those who died, you must hold President Mahama responsible because he is aware of everything,” he claimed.
He was subsequently charged with one count of publication of false news with intent to cause fear and panic to the public, contrary to Section 208(1) of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29).
The section states that “A person who publishes or reproduces a statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, knowing or having reason to believe that the statement, rumour or report is false commits a misdemeanour.”
