Emmanuel Quarshie, aka Hitman of Akina radio, Techiman
Emmanuel Quarshie, a radio presenter of Techiman-based Akina Radio is confronted with a legal battle with the Omanhene of the Techiman Traditional Area, Oseadeoyo Ekumfi Ameyaw IV, for allegedly causing fear and panic.
The Techimanhene contends that the journalist erred in publishing stories about a series of murder incidents in the town, which have heightened a sense of insecurity in the area, “without authority”. The, the Omanhene claims, has caused fear and panic in the Bono East regional capital and its environs.
The radio presenter’s ‘crime’ is his continuous highlighting of the recent spate of purported ritual murder incidents, which have become a major source of worry to residents of Techiman and nearby communities.
Ritual killings
In recent times, a number of serial killings of people has been happening in around Techiman, with some parts of the victims sometimes chopped off.
Just last week, a 15-year old girl was murdered at Bamire, and another man at Samsama, both communities within Techiman municipality
Some residents suspect ritual killings, and have been calling on the Police to step up surveillance in the city, especially at night but the situation seems to persist.
The presenter, who is popularly called Hitman, pleaded not guilty when the case brought against him by the Omanhene of Techiman Traditional Area, Oseadeoyo Ekumfi Ameyaw IV, for causing fear and panic was brought against him at the Magistrate Court at Tuobodom, near Techiman.
He is being accused of abusing his radio programme to discuss the issue, and to drum home the need for authorities to act swiftly to save the situation.
The court, presided over by His Worship Kojo Frimpong Manso, consequently granted him bail in the sum of GHC 5,000 with one surety. He is to re-appear before the court on July 27, 2022.
Prosecuting, Inspector George Appiah said the Ankobeahene of the Techiman Traditional Area, on behalf of the Omanhene, reported the case to the Techiman Police, that the accused, without authority, published or reproduced a statement or rumour or a report on his morning show which was likely to cause fear and panic.
According to him, the suspect on his show made an emphatic statement that people were being murdered in Techiman and their parts sold in the community.
Evidence
The accused is also reported to have said that persons from some suburbs of Techiman, including Sansama and Kente, buy the parts, thus encouraging ritual murders in the municipality.
The Techimanhene, Oseadeoyo Ekumfi Ameyaw IV, through the Ankobeahene, lodged a complaint with the police, and the journalist was arrested and asked to produce evidence to the arrest of culprits to stop the canker.
According to the prosecutor, the suspect failed to produce evidence, and was consequently cautioned to desist from the act.
According to the charge, two strange murders identified in a suburb of Techiman, with both hands peeled off, according to medical report, were due to animal scavengers.
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