Six charged over assault, detention of Kumasi journalist

A circuit court in Bekwai has granted bail to six employees of Edelmetallum Resources Limited in connection with the assault and detention of four journalists investigating environmental damage allegedly caused by the company’s mining activities at Manso Asuminya in the Ashanti Region.

The court set bail conditions at GH₵100,000 with two sureties each and ordered that the accused report to the Manso Adubia Police Station every Monday until the next hearing.

The journalists—Erastus Asare Donkor, Majid Alidu, Edward Arkoh, and Nicholas Suantah, all with the MultiMedia Group—were reportedly assaulted, detained, and robbed on 20 October 2024, while covering an investigation into deforestation, farmland destruction, and water pollution allegedly linked to Edelmetallum Resources.

According to reports, the accused, led by Felix Amankwah, ordered security and staff members to intercept the journalists, leading to a coordinated attack and illegal detainment of the journalists in their vehicles.

The court heard that the journalists were transported to a remote area near Manso Nkran and coerced to delete footage of the site.

When they refused, they were allegedly beaten, resulting in visible injuries. Their equipment, including a mobile tablet, drone, and SD card containing crucial footage, was seized.

Additionally, a bag containing a Lenovo tablet, drone accessories, and other items valued at approximately GH₵35,000 was reportedly stolen before the assailants abandoned the journalists in the forest.

Following a report to the Manso Adubia Police Station and medical treatment at Saint Martin’s Catholic Hospital, the police launched an investigation, arresting six suspects who now face multiple charges, including five counts of assault, conspiracy, and theft.

The case has been adjourned to 13 December.

Reporting By Jonathan Ofori, Asaase Newsroom, Kumasi

Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).

Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5

Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand

The post Six charged over assault, detention of Kumasi journalist appeared first on Asaase Radio.