The Circuit Court in Accra presided over by Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah has issued a witness summons on popular actress Nana Ama Macbrown to appear before the court to testify in a case in which Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson popularly known as Bulldog is standing trial.
In Court on Thursday, when the matter was called Chief Inspector Simon Appiorsonu, the prosecutor told the court that Nana Ama McBrown came to the Police Headquarters on Wednesday to tell the investigators that she will not be in court to testify.
According to the prosecutor, Nana Ama McBrown stated that she was unable to come to court to testify in the matter, no matter what.
Chief Inspector Appiorsonu however prayed for a subpoena to be issued on her to compel her to appear in court to testify.
The prosecutor said her presence and testimony is key in helping the court in determining the legal issues before the court.
The potential witness the Prosecutor said is the host of UTV buzz show and it was key the matter was brought to the court for determination.
Lawyer for the accused person Jerry Avernorgbo said the prosecution was misleading the court.
He explained that the potential witness was invited and a statement was demanded from her against her will.
According to counsel, Nana Ama McBrown gave her statement as demanded by the police and that, that police statement was not a witness statement.
He said, instead, they demanded the statement and she gave it and wondered why they are now using it as a witness statement.
The court after listening to the parties ordered a witness summons to be issued on Nana Ama Mcbrown to appear before the court tomorrow, Friday, March 26.
Background
Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson aka Bulldog on January 14 appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly threatening President Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a video recording.
Bulldog, an artist manager, is said to have said on a United Television (UTV) programme that, “the President will not finish his tenure and that he will run away if he failed to pay customers of Menzgold their deposits.”
Charged with “offensive conduct, conducive to breaches of the peace,” Hanson pleaded not guilty.
The court presided over by Evelyn Asamoah admitted Hanson to bail in the sum of ¢70,000 with three sureties, two of whom are to be public servants.
The court further ordered Hanson to be reporting to the Police every Monday and the Police were directed to comply with the directives on disclosures.
Armed policemen and plain cloth officers escorted Hanson to court at about 15:30 pm. The matter has been adjourned to January 28.
Defence Counsel, Mr Jerry Avernorgbor prayed the court to admit his client to bail as he has people who were ready to stand surety for his client.
According to him, he would be grateful if his client would be admitted to self-recognizance adding that he was known and has a fixed place of abode.
Defence counsel said his client would not interfere with investigations and Hanson had no intention of committing any further crime now or in the future.
He drew the attention of the court to the fact that the accused has been in custody for the past 48 hours and justice would be served if he was admitted to bail by the court.
Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Simon Apiorsornu said his superiors would like the accused persons to be remanded into lawful custody by the court as investigations were ongoing.
Brief facts
Reading the facts in court, Chief Inspector Apiorsornu said on January 11, this year, the Police intercepted video recordings on United Television.
He said in the said video the accused was seen and heard saying “The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will not finish his term in office and that he will run away if he failed to pay the deposits of Menzgold customers.”
The prosecution said on January 12, this year accused was handed over to the Police by the National Intelligence Bureau for further investigations.
According to the prosecution, during interrogation Hanson admitted to having made such comments in the said video when same was played to him.
Prosecution said Hanson further said that during the show an argument ensued between the panellists where he made the statement in jest and had no ill motive behind same.
