Ghanaian Blogger Sentenced To 30 Days In Jail For Spreading False Information
Jeffrey Epprim Nyame, a Ghanaian blogger, has been handed a 30-day jail term after being found guilty of publishing false news.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong, revealed that Nyame had posted misleading information on his news portal, reportghana.net, on October 27, 2022.
The article in question, titled “Dollar Account Holders to Get Cedi at BoG Rate for Bank Withdrawals Effective 31st Oct?” quickly gained traction on social media, especially on WhatsApp, sparking widespread fear and panic among the public.
The false report led to panic withdrawals by bank customers, which placed considerable pressure on financial institutions. An Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, found Nyame guilty and imposed the sentence.
Meanwhile, the court cleared Jeremiah Kobina Egyabeng, an IT specialist who had been accused of assisting Nyame in disseminating the information, acquitting him of all charges.
During the trial, Nyame’s defense lawyer appealed for leniency, emphasizing that Nyame had learned his lesson and deeply regretted his actions. Nyame himself expressed remorse and assured the court that he would not repeat the offense.
Despite these appeals, Judge Isaac Addo ruled that a custodial sentence was necessary to send a strong message against the spread of false news, which has the potential to incite fear and undermine public trust. The judge highlighted the importance of deterring others from engaging in similar activities.