Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor
THE Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has described as ‘devilish’ the assault of EIB Network court correspondent, Murtala Inusah, by sympathisers of Archbishop Elisha Salifu Amoako on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
The unwarranted attack by the hooligans left the victim with cuts on his fingers and severe bodily pain as well as loss to personal property.
The GJA further noted that the police court warrant officer who went to the aid of the journalist was also assaulted by the hooligans.
“We call on the Ghana Police Service to immediately arrest the assailants and prosecute them,” the GJA said in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah, while urging the Judiciary “to severely punish them when found guilty.”
The Association said Inusah has reported the assault case at the Ministries Police Station, having submitted the requisite documents to the police.
The founder and leader of the Alive Chapel International, Archbishop Salifu Amoako, and his wife, Mouha, were arraigned on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, in connection with a car crash case at East Legon last Saturday involving their 16-year-old son that resulted in the death of two persons.
While covering the case at the Circuit Court in Accra, Murtala Inusah, an accredited member of the Judicial Press Corps, who was tagged in his accredited ID card from the Judicial Service, was attacked by sympathisers of the suspects who were apparently not happy with the journalist filming the proceedings.
“We consider the assault on the journalist and police officer performing their official duties as a devilish act, and the hooligans must be severely dealt with according to law.
“We appeal to the Judicial Service and the Police to give maximum security to journalists who report from the courts, as they endeavour to render an invaluable service to the nation,” the GJA said.
The GJA urged media practitioners not to be intimidated by such callous acts and continue to discharge their professional and constitutional mandate.