Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy
Five persons are expected to appear as witnesses in the trial of dancehall artistes – Livingstone Etse Satekla, aka Stonebwoy, and Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly called Shatta Wale – who have been charged for their involvement in the chaos that marred this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) held in May.
The prosecution had listed four persons as witnesses but yesterday after the brief court proceedings, the prosecutor indicated to reporters that they were adding another one to make five.
The Adjabeng Magistrate Court in Accra, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, adjourned the case until August 28 for continuation of Case Management Conference (CMC) which involves sharing of documents between the prosecution and defence counsel, among other modalities, to be concluded ahead of full trial.
Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale were not in court but their counsel and the prosecutor, Superintendent Emelia Asante, were present.
There was, however, no indication if the permission they sought from the court to enable them to do some rounds including travels at the last adjourned date was holding.
All witness statements of the prosecution had been duly filed as directed by the court and it is expected to take a decision on the case management conference at the next adjourned date.
The two popular musicians were granted GH¢50,000 each with one surety each on May 22 when the case went to court.
CHARGES
Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale have been charged with offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace, while Stonebwoy is facing another charge of displaying a weapon in public place without permission.
Police sources say the gun he allegedly pulled on the VGMA stage was an Australian gun INFK 158 with butt number AA792002017.
VGMA Chaos
The two rival artistes, who have huge following in the entertainment industry, disrupted the VGMA awards held at the Accra International Conference Centre in May.
Shatta Wale and his entourage charged on Stonebwoy, who was on stage receiving the Dancehall Artiste of the Year Award during the event.
Some of his followers had claimed that he wanted to go on stage to ‘congratulate’ Stonebwoy, but many people turned the blame on Charterhouse, the organisers of the VGMA, for the incompetent manner in which it handled the entire event.
Trial
They were later arrested and detained till the next day when they were granted police enquiry bail.
Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale were hauled before court where they all pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
Peace Gesture
The two have since held a joint press conference to tell their fans they have buried their differences.
In one of their appearance in court, they gave proof of making peace by openly chatting each other and shaking hands right after the court proceedings.
That was after they had earlier exchanged greetings in the courtroom before the case was called.
By Gibril Abdul Razak