Shatta Wale meets rousing welcome at Ankaful Prison [Video]
Hundreds of inmates at the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison lined up last Saturday, October 23, screaming the stage name of Ghanaian multiple award-winning dancehall act Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr (Shatta Wale) as he was sent to remand.
In a viral video being circulated on social media, some inmates are seen behind the fence of the prison, while others joined the prison officials, leading him to the cell that he would be kept till he reappears before the court on Tuesday, October 26.
Shatta Wale's Welcome At Ankaful Prison pic.twitter.com/P5qGDPzPDY
— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) October 24, 2021
The 37-year-old ‘gringo’ crooner and 2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the year, together with three others have been kept into police custody for, over a shooting hoax, which has landed them in court.
The three are Kojo Owusu Koranteng, Shatta Wale’s personal assistant, Eric Vanetor, a graphic designer and Iddrisu Yussif, a beautician, who have been charged for abetment of criminal publication of false news.
The artiste is alleged to have masterminded false information suggesting that he was shot by unknown assailants at East Legon and was receiving treatment for bullet wounds at an undisclosed health facility.
However, the self-acclaimed ‘Dancehall King’ has pleaded not guilty to the count of publication of false news that caused fear and panic in the public domain.
According to the police, initial investigations into the matter disclosed that the widely reported gunshot attack on Shatta Wale on Monday, October 18, was a hoax.
Shatta issues apology
The artiste took to social media to apologise to his fans and other people who had been affected by what he described as a prank. He said he took the phones of the team members and made the fake post.
He said, he did so with reference to a prophecy that was made by the founder and leader of New Life Kingdom Chapel International, Stephen Akwasi, that he would be shot dead on 18 October 2021.
Plea for Shatta Wale
Meanwhile, many, especially, people in the entertainment fraternity including the acting president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bessa Simons of the have pleaded with state authorities to be lenient with dancehall artiste.
“I pray that the law goes a bit lenient on him. He has also apologised, “I don’t like musicians getting into trouble like that,” Mr. Simons said whilst speaking on the GTV’s Breakfast Show last week.
“I think we live in a country that is governed by laws and rules and regulations. I don’t want to see musicians come in confrontation with the law and things like that,” he added.
Others also took to social media with a #FreeShattaWale campaign, all in a bid to call on the state authorities to tamper justice with mercy regarding the prank he made over his shooting.
READ ALSO: Shatta Wale And Three Others Remanded Into Police Custody [Video]