Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale
The state is expected to call its first witness in the trial of popular dancehall artistes – Livingstone Etse Satekla, aka Stonebwoy, and Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly called Shatta Wale – on October 9, 2019.
This follows the completion of the case management conference between the prosecution led by the Superintendent of Police, Emelia Asante, and the defence lawyers – Jerry Avenorgbor, counsel for Shatta Wale, and Selali Woanya, who represents Stonebwoy.
The prosecution has indicated that it will call five witnesses to prove its case in the trial of the two artistes who have been charged for their involvement in the chaos that marred this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).
The case management conference, which sets the rules for the proceedings, was initially adjourned on two occasions because Shatta Wale’s lawyer was said to be indisposed on the first occasion, and was at this year’s Bar Conference, hence could not make it to court on the second occasion.
Both lawyers and the prosecutor were all in court yesterday and the conclusion of the case management conference paves the way for the prosecution to make its case.
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 held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) in May, this year.
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 and shaking hands after the court proceedings.
That was after they had earlier exchanged greetings in the courtroom before the case was called.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak