Some 16 persons purportedly affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who were arrested for invading United Television (UTV) studios have been convicted.
The convicts who were hauled before the Achimota Magistrate Court have subsequently been fined GH₵2,400.00. each.
They pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit crime and rioting.
They were also ordered by the court to sign a bond to be of good behaviour or in default 6 months imprisonment.
It will be recalled that on Saturday, October 7, 2023, the group of young men stormed the station while its prime-time entertainment show, ‘United Showbiz’ was ongoing.
They disrupted the live programme and proceeded to threaten and assault the host and her guests.
The angered youth claimed that A Plus, a regular pundit on the show, had shown gross disrespect to the NPP by tearing apart a letter from the party raising concerns about the show.
A Plus defended his actions by arguing that the letter went against media independence. He is not the only person who has condemned the action.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Information Ministry, leading political figures and several organizations have since condemned the invasion of the NPP thugs.
The National Chairman of the NPP Stephen Ntim subsequently rendered an apology to UTV management.
He assured that the party leadership will ensure that such reprehensible action is not repeated.