Shatta Wale, Medikal, and three others granted bail

On October 26, 2021, 11:06 AM

Ghanaian musicians Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr (Shatta Wale) and Samuel Frimpong (Medikal) have been granted bails after reappearing in court today, Tuesday, October 26, 2021, having spent some days on remand.

The musicians arrived at an Accra Circuit Court together in a police van and were greeted by scores of praise-singers and journalists.

The two musicians are in court for two separate transgressions with Medikal being charged with brandishing a weapon on social media. Shatta Wale, along with three other individuals, is answering to the court for fabricating a story that the prosecution says has the potential to cause public panic.

Shatta Wale was granted a self-recognisance bail in the sum of GH₵100,000.

His accomplices, Kojo Owusu Koranteng, also known as Nana Dope, Eric Venator, aka Gangee and Iddriss Yussif, were also been granted bail in the sum of GH₵ 100,000 each with one common surety from someone who must be a public officer.

Similarly, Medikal was granted bail in the sum of GH₵100,000 with one surety.

They are both to re-appear for their cases on November 9, 2021.

The case of Shatta Wale and three others

Shatta Wale and his three accomplices are in court regarding a fabricated story that claimed he (Shatta Wale) had been shot and was receiving treatment. This turned out to be false.

The 37-year-old dancehall artiste has also pleaded not guilty to the charge of publishing false news and causing fear and panic.

According to the police, initial investigations into the matter involving Shatta Wale and the three others disclosed that the widely reported gunshot attack on Shatta Wale on Monday, October 18, was a hoax in response to a prediction by a Christian preacher.

Shatta issues apology

The artiste took to social media to apologise to his fans and the general public for what he described as a prank. He claimed to have taken the phones of the other accused and made the fake post.

He said he did so with reference to a prediction or prophecy that was made by the founder and leader of New Life Kingdom Chapel International, Stephen Akwasi, that he would be shot dead on October 18, 2021.

The prophecy

In a viral video, the founder and leader of New Life Kingdom Chapel International, Bishop Stephen Akwasi, predicted that Shatta Wale would lose his life on October 18, similar to that of South African reggae artiste, Lucky Dube, who was shot on October 18, 2007.

The pastor in question was subsequently arrested on October 19, at the premises of Accra FM while preparing for an interview on the station’s mid-morning show.

He was charged for causing fear and panic. He, however, pleaded not guilty and was remanded into prison custody for five days.

Medikal’s case

Medikal is standing trial for brandishing a Ruger 9mm pistol in a video found on social media and has been charged with the display of arms and ammunition. He has, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The 28-year-old rapper was remanded by a Circuit Court judge in Accra on Friday, October 22, 2021, when he first appeared before the court.

At the hearing, the counsel for the Medikal, Emmanuel Yeboah Gyan, prayed the court to grant his client bail as he is a law-abiding citizen and had family on standby to meet the bail conditions.

Nonetheless, the prosecution opposed the plea, arguing that the individual rights of Medikal to bail are subservient to the community interest, which ought to be protected.

He further argued that parts of the case are still under investigation.

The court agreed with his argument and remanded the accused.

Medikal Denied Bail; Remanded In Prison Custody For Five Days

Story By Francis Ntow