The Takoradi Habour Circuit Court A has granted GHS50,000 bail to journalist Paa Kwesi Simpson, one of the suspects involved in the false kidnapping case at Mpohor in the Western Region.

The court granted bail to the host of Takoradi-based Connect FM’s morning show on Monday, 8 November 2021.

He is to provide two sureties.

The court had earlier denied bail to the two suspects on Thursday, 4 November 2021 over the alleged false publication of the kidnapping of 26-year-old Stephanie Kumiwaa.

Both have been charged with the publication of false news with the intent of causing fear and alarm to the public contrary to the Public Order Act; and false publication of news through an electronic device contrary to the Electronic Communications Act, 775 of 2008.

Prosecutor Superintendent Emmanuel Basintale, who read the charge sheet, prayed the court not to grant bail to the two accused persons.

The two pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defence counsel, Mr Ebo Donkor, in his plea, said: “So, A1 must be treated as a victim”, arguing: “The police have not been able to tell the court that it is false that he actually had a relationship with the girl and didn’t publish anything to be guilty of the second count”.

He continued: “For A2, it is very unfortunate for him to find himself here. The fact does not, in any way, suggest that A2 made any false statement anywhere”.

“A2 has never published any false news anywhere.”

The two are expected to reappear in court on Tuesday, 16 November 2021.

The Takoradi Divisional Police Command recently launched investigations into the alleged kidnapping of the 26-year-old woman.

The incident was alleged to have taken place on Sunday, 17 October 2021, and was published in the media.

A statement issued by the Ghana Police Service and signed by its Western Regional Head of Public Affairs Unit, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Olivia Adiku on Wednesday, 3 November 2021, however, revealed that the incident was false.

“Checks at the Mpohor Police District Command indicated that no such case had been reported there.”

According to the police, following the publication of the incident, it arrested the “alleged boyfriend of the victim, 33-year-old Stephen Kumi” and one other person, Paa Kwesi Simpson, “who published the story” to assist them with investigations.

They were later arraigned