An Accra court on Monday granted bail to Mohammed Zakou, a political activist affiliated with Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), who was arrested over the weekend for allegedly disseminating false information regarding Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
Mr. Zakou was taken into custody on April 12 following a Facebook post that read, “Rest Well Her Excellency,” accompanied by crying emojis. Authorities interpreted the post as a false report of the Vice President’s death, amid public knowledge that she had recently been unwell.
The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), which led the investigation, charged Mr. Zakou with publishing false news. A prosecutor told the court that the defendant admitted to making the post but claimed it was intended as a message of goodwill toward the Vice President.
Represented by defense attorney Gary Nimako Marfo, Mr. Zakou appeared before the Achimota Circuit Court on April 14. The prosecution did not oppose the defense’s motion for bail, but requested conditions to guarantee the defendant’s continued cooperation with the investigation.
The presiding judge granted bail in the amount of GHC100,000 (approximately $8,000), with two sureties. Mr. Zakou must also report weekly to the assigned investigator.
The case is scheduled for a case management conference on May 12.
Source:TheDotNews