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Former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Northern regional communications officer Hardi Pagzaa and one Mumuni Osman were fined GH3,600 by the District Court in Tamale, which is presided over by His Worship Amadu Issifu, for attacking a radio presenter of Dagbon Radio in Tamale.
The two who were detained by the police on Monday, May 8, and held there for two days made their court appearance on Wednesday.
The defendants, who were accused on four counts, entered guilty pleas to each one.
Conspiracy to Commit Crime with Assault, Assault, Unlawful Entry, and Threatening Death are among the allegations.
The prosecution did, however, later drop the fourth count of death threat.
The defense attorney informed the court that the defendants had shown regret and asked for a non-custodial punishment.
The Judge warned the offenders not to commit similar illegal conduct again before making his decision. He also asked political talk show hosts and their guests to exercise caution in their statements and deeds.
The magistrate pointed out that such crimes often lead to war, using the Rwandan genocide and its terrible effects on civilians as an example.
The defendant was subsequently given a sentence of 300 penalty units, or Ghc3,600, in fines, or, in default, 18 months in prison.
On May 3, a former NDC Northern Regional Communications Officer named Hardi Pagzaa verbally and physically assaulted Sadiq Gariba, a radio host of Tamale-based Dagbon FM, during a live radio program.
Mr. Pagzaa and Osman were captured in a social media video assaulting the Dagbon FM studio. The two men threatened to smack the presenter if he made a comment while he was being held up and hosting a show.
On World Press Freedom Day, the incident took place.
The host then got to his feet and left the studio with the perpetrators.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
