Ghanaian blogger, Jeffrey Epprim Nyame, has been sentenced to a 30-day jail time period for publishing false information, a transfer aimed toward cracking down on the unfold of misinformation on social media.
Nyame, discovered responsible by an Accra Circuit Courtroom, was whisked away in handcuffs after Choose Isaac Addo rejected pleas for mercy.
Choose Isaac Addo reiterated the necessity to keep away from misinformation and disinformation inflicting worry and panic.
“The unfettered publication of false information on social media has created worry and panic among the many public,” Choose Addo mentioned.
“It’s time to crack the whip and function a deterrent to others who abuse social media to unfold misinformation.”
Nyame’s lawyer, John Baptist Ayitse, had pleaded for clemency, citing the blogger’s youth and willingness to study from his errors.
“He has pledged to not repeat the offence,” Ayitse mentioned.
Nonetheless, Choose Addo remained unmoved, insisting on a custodial sentence.
The prosecution, led by ASP Seth Frimpong, argued that Nyame’s false article, printed on October 27, 2022, induced widespread panic and disruption to monetary establishments.
In line with the prosecution, the article, titled “Greenback account holders to get cedi at BoG price for financial institution withdrawal efficient thirty first Oct?”, was circulated on numerous WhatsApp platforms, creating worry and panic among the many public.
The prosecution argued that the false information induced financial institution clients to resort to panic withdrawals, making a tough scenario for monetary establishments.
“The publication of false information has critical penalties, and we should take motion to stop it,” Frimpong mentioned.
Choose Addo added that as Nyame begins his 30-day sentence, the case serves as a warning to others who unfold misinformation on social media.
“This could function a deterrent to those that assume they will publish something with out penalties,” Choose Addo mentioned.