- Ghanaian blogger Jeffrey Epprim Nyame sentenced to 30-day jail term for publishing false news
- Court rejects plea for mercy, citing need to curb social media misinformation
- False article caused panic withdrawals at banks, prosecution says
A 30-day jail term has been handed down to popular Ghanaian blogger, Jeffrey Epprim Nyame, for publishing false news. The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Isaac Addo, found Nyame guilty of the offense and sentenced him accordingly.
Nyame, who has been on trial since last year, was charged with publishing false news. In court, John Baptist Ayitse, a lawyer acting as a friend of the court, pleaded for mercy, stating that Nyame is young and has learned from his actions. Nyame himself also pledged not to repeat the offense.
However, Judge Addo remained unmoved, emphasizing the need to “crack the whip” to serve as a deterrent to others who spread misinformation on social media. “The unfettered publication of false news on social media, resulting from a hasty desire to be the first to publish information without verifying its veracity and accuracy, is a serious concern,” he stated.
The prosecution, led by ASP Seth Frimpong, presented evidence that Nyame published the false news on his portal, (link unavailable), on October 27, 2022. The article, which claimed that dollar account holders would receive cedi at the Bank of Ghana rate for bank withdrawals, was circulated on WhatsApp platforms, causing fear and panic among the public.
In contrast, Jeremiah Kobina Egyabeng, an IT professional charged with abetment, was acquitted and discharged by the court.
