Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy
Popular dancehall artistes, Livingstone Etse Satekla, aka Stonebwoy, and Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly called Shatta Wale, were yesterday hauled before the Adjabeng Magistrate Court in Accra for their involvement in the chaos that marred last Saturday’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).
The two have been charged with offensive conduct conducive to breach of the peace, and Stonebwoy is facing another charge of displaying weapon in public place without permission.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
Bail/Bond
Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale were each granted bail in the sum of GH¢50,000.00 by the court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, with one surety each.
The two accused persons were also cautioned by the court to be of good behaviour during the case before the court.
The case was adjourned until June 20.
Dock Pals
The rival artistes, who hardly agree on anything, became ‘pals’ for a few minutes, as they were placed in the same dock when they appeared before the court.
The two were generally calm throughout the court proceedings, as their lawyers pleaded with the court to grant them bail pending the trial.
While Stonebwoy was represented by Selali Wonya, Shatta Wale’s lawyer was Jerry Avenyor.
The two rival artistes, who have huge following in the entertainment industry, disrupted the awards held at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Shatta Wale and his entourage charged on Stonebwoy, who was on stage receiving the Dancehall Artiste of the Year Award during the event.
Crowd
Fans of the two artistes thronged the court’s premises in their numbers to show solidarity with them.
There was also a heavy police presence to maintain calm because of the seeming mounting tension between the camps.
Arrest
Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale were arrested on Sunday for causing chaos on stage during the 20th edition of the VGMA.
They were denied bail and kept in police custody until Monday evening.
The two were cautioned and released on police enquiry bail.
VGMA Violence
It was an exhibition of sheer lawlessness on the awards night when Stonebwoy pulled a gun on stage after Shatta Wale and his entourage charged on him.
Stonebwoy, with his ‘army’ called Bhim Nation, and Shatta Wale with his ‘militants’ called Shatta Movement or SM for Life,’ engaged in fisticuffs on open stage during the ceremony which was telecast live on TV3 and DSTV to more than 43 countries.
Some music-loving fans and other patrons were said to have sustained injuries in the ensuing melee.
Charterhouse
Some of his followers are claiming he wanted to go on stage to ‘congratulate’ his fiercest rival Stonebwoy, but many people are blaming Charterhouse, the organisers of the VGMA, for the incompetent manner in which it handled the entire event.
Statements
The Accra Regional Police Command later released a statement condemning the act and gave assurance that organisers and all suspects were cooperating with the police and that those found culpable would be arraigned.
Stonebwoy later released a statement in which he apologised for the part he played in the chaos which marred the awards night.
Charterhouse also released a statement apologising for the scuffle while Vodafone Ghana Limited, sponsors of the award, also issued a statement to condemn the act, but said it would continue to support the music industry.
By Gibril Abdul Razak