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The Ghana Journalists Association says it is disappointed in Daily
Graphic’s Daniel Kenu for announcing he no longer wishes to pursue
assault case against Baffour Gyan, brother of Asamoah Gyan.
His lawyers told the court Friday they have been asked by their client
to withdraw the case entirely.
It is unclear if the journalist has opted for an out of court
settlement. But his lawyers told the court that the journalist cited
family and health concerns as reasons for his decision not to seek
justice.
Reacting to the decision, GJA President Affail Monney insisted the
association remained resolute in its fight against impunity and
violence in all guises against any journalist in the country.
Baffour Gyan, the elder brother of Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan,
reportedly led an assault on Mr. Kenu, who is the Ashanti Region
Editor of the Daily Graphic.
At a press conference organised by the Ghana Football Association two
weeks ago in Kumasi, Mr. Kenu wanted confirmation to allegations that
Asamoah Gyan had “sacrificed” his friend and popular musician Castro
when they went holidaying at Ada.
Apparently, the question angered Baffour Gyan, who allegedly organised
some well-built men to assault Mr. Kenu after the conference.
Baffour turned himself in after the police declared him wanted over
his alleged involvement in the incident.
He and Samuel Anim Addo, manager for Asamoah Gyan were charged with
assault and later granted a GHȼ30,000 bail each by the Kumasi
Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) circuit court.
Investigations were carried out and the matter processed for court.
But dramatically, the complainant in the case, Mr Kenu turned up and
said he was no longer interested in pursuing the matter.
“It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform this honourable court
that I, Daniel Kenu, the regional editor of Daily Graphic, Ashanti
region, and the complainant in the Baffour Gyan led assault on me, to
discontinue with the case on health grounds and other related family
matters,” he stated in a letter to the court.
Mr Kenu added “My recent consistent and persistent rise in my blood
pressure following the trauma that I am currently going through as a
result of the September 5, 2014, attack as well as the sudden death of
my uncle Efo Kwame in the Eastern region, who until his death on the
eve of the last hearing in court, September 12, had insisted that I
let go off the case because the name of the family had been in the
media too much lately, warranted his decision.”
But the GJA has expressed disappointment at the turn of events.
Baffour Gyan’s lawyer also felt disappointed for travelling all the
way from Accra to Kumasi only for the case to be discontinued at the
request of the complainant.
Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group, Ken Ashigbi had
earlier stated that stakeholders in the media industry would ensure
that anyone or group of persons who attack journalists will be made to
face the full rigours of the law.
Mr Ashigbi must be feeling deflated now after his employee suddenly
wrote to the court to stop the case from further hearing.
Credit: Myjoyonline
