Ghana’s Parliament is currently questioning a renowned radio presenter Blakk Rasta, and Managing Editor of the Daily Searchlight newspaper for alleging that 80% of the country’s MPs smoke or use ‘wee’.
The Hitz FM presenter whose real name is Abubakar Ahmed has taken his oath to “ tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”
The Afigya Sekyere East MP Henric Yeboah who first raised the issue on the floor of parliament last week presented his case at the privileges committee sitting.
He also swears his oath.
He said on 17 June 2015 there was a Daily Searchlight newspaper publication, in which Blakk Rasta “impugned on the integrity of Parliament”
He added Blakk Rasta also sought to negate all efforts to fight use of narcotics in the eyes of the international community.
He quoted Standing Orders, Order 32 any acts which affront directly or indirectly the name of Parliament is in contempt of the criminal code and subject to be punished.
He read the purported article in the Searchlight in which Blakk Rasta called the MPs hypocrite for refusing to legalise ‘wee’ despite smoking the substance.
Counsel for Blakk Rasta wanted to know if the complainant checked with the newspaper, Searchlight, to confirm if Blakk Rasta indeed made the comment.
Henric Yeboah answered no.
The hearing which started after 1pm is chaired by 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ebo Barton Oduro
Mr Oduro interveneed that Blakk Rasta has not issued a rejoinder if he indeed did not make the comments.
The lawyer said Blakk Rasta has denied making the statements but is yet to issue a rejoinder because he has been overwhelmed by the media buzz since the alleged statement.
The Chairman said his comments are on tape so there should be no problem or controversy.
Lawyer for Blakk Rasta demanded to scrutinize the newspaper publication.
Editor of the Searchlight newspaper, Kenneth Agyei Kuranchie swore his oath and took the witness stand.
He said he doesn’t know the accused personally. He is shown his own publication and asked to explain how he came by the story. He insisted that the publication was culled from Adomonline.com.
African Eye News.com
