Wisa
Hiplife artiste Eugene Ashe aka Wisa Greid, has been sentenced to a fine of GH¢8,400 for showcasing his penis in public while performing on stage.
The ‘Ekikimi’ hitmaker was arrested in December 2015 after videos of him displaying his penis whilst performing at Citi FM’s ‘December To Remember’ concert at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).
He was hauled before the court charged with gross indecent exposure, to which he pleaded not guilty, leaving the prosecution to prove otherwise.
In the course of the trial, Wisa admitted displaying a penis on stage but insisted it was a fake penis strapped on a belt which was part of his publicity stunt to enhance his image and music brand.
“On that night, I fixed a fake manhood which I was wearing under my boxer shorts. So during the performance and when I was almost done and about to leave the stage, while dancing with the dancer that I used, I pulled out the fake penis that I was wearing under my boxer shorts from the front and that was it. I left the stage,” he recounted.
He stated that although he displayed a fake penis, he decided to apologise on radio and television because of the perception the incident had created in the public, including his family and management. “So I thought by doing so people would forget so I could move on with my career,” the young musician posited.
Weisa Greid subsequently tendered in evidence the supposed fake penis strapped on a belt to the court as what he used on the night.
A member of his management team, who he claims was aware of the supposed stunt in his evidence, confirmed Wisa’s story.
In his defence, Jerry Avenorgbor, his lawyer, questioned the authenticity of the video, saying it could have been doctored by someone to achieve a purpose.
However, the court, presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku, at the end of the over two years’ trial, found Wisa Greid guilty of the charge proffered against him and convicted him accordingly.
According to the court, although Wisa claimed he used a fake penis on stage, the video proved otherwise as there was no sign of a belt on his waist when he pulled out his manhood.
The court held that although Wisa tendered in the supposed fake penis he used on the night, he forgot to add pubic hair to it, contrary to what was available in the video.
“I am convinced that the accused person (Wisa) used his God-given penis and not a fake penis as he wants the court to believe,” Mrs Adjin-Doku stated.
Sentencing him, the judge took into consideration the fact that Wisa did not “show any shadow of remorse” for his act right from the beginning of the trial.
She said he is a public figure and a lot of young people look up to him and, therefore, chose a fine over a custodial sentence – but risked going to jail for 24 months if he failed to pay the money.
Right after the sentencing, his lawyer prayed the court to defer the verdict, as they did not have the whole amount on them.
He said they came to the court with GH¢5,000 and should be given a week to raise the remaining GH¢3,400.
The court agreed and granted him a new bail of GH¢10,000 with one surety to be justified.
The ‘Ekikimi’ singer was, however, unable to get a surety and was subsequently handcuffed and taken away by police.
By Gibril Abdul Razak