Salifu Maase, aka Mugabe
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has officially charged radio presenter Salifu Maase, aka Mugabe, with two counts of offensive conduct and publication of false news.
The controversial Radio XYZ host was last month invited by the CID over claims that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) would kill investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni of Multimedia Group within 11 months.
Speaking at a press conference at the Police Headquarters in Accra yesterday, Director-General of the CID, DCOP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, said during interrogation, Mugabe admitted the offence but claimed he had no evidence or information to back his wild allegation.
Mugabe was subsequently charged with the offence and a court is expected to hear his case today.
Wild Claims
Mugabe claimed the NPP would kill the journalist just like they did to Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the private investigator, who was working with investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his Tiger Eye PI.
“The fake ones (prophets) can come out and say whatever they like, but I’m speaking in the spiritual realm. Manasseh Awuni, I am speaking to your parents and I’m not speaking as Mugabe but the Holy Spirit is using me,” he claimed.
He added that “if the security agencies do not protect him, they will finish him; they will get rid of him. I speak without fear or favour; this is a gift God has given to me.”
Mugabe claimed he was possessed by the ‘Holy Spirit’ when he made the statements.
Mugabe was processed for court and was expected to be hauled before an Accra Circuit Court yesterday to stand trial for the charges.
However, the case had to be adjourned to today because the presiding judge and some other judges were attending a conference in the Eastern regional capital – Koforidua.
There was, however, heavy security presence, as personnel from the Formed Police Unit (FPU) were seen on the premises of the court in the early hours of yesterday.
Habit
This is not the first time Mugabe has found himself at the wrong side of the law with regard to his pronouncements on radio.
He was part of a group of three who became known as the ‘Montie 3,’ who were in July 2016 found guilty of criminal contempt by the Supreme Court after they had threatened the lives of some justices.
They only served one out of the four-month jail term, as they were granted full pardon by ex-President John Mahama.
By Gibril Abdul Razak