Mr. Edudzi Tameklo has accused officers of the Ghana Police Service of arresting his client on an allegation of publication of Fake News when in actual fact the journalist is yet to publish the said story and fabricating the narrative on journalist’s arrest.
On Thursday evening, April 1, 2021, at around 10:00 pm, the news of the arrest of the Managing Editor of WhatsUp News broke, and it was alleged that he was arrested at gunpoint in Accra.
Initial reports alleged that his arrest was in connection with a publication he did on the morning of April 1, 2021. The journalist faced a similar arrest in October last year over a report he published in relation to some disturbances in the Ashanti Region over the new voter register registration.
The journalist’s arrest was condemned by many including the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Mr Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor who through a statement pleaded with the police for his release.
Mr. David Tameklo on April 2, 2021 was secured bail after sleeping over that the Police CID Headquarters.
The Ghana Police Service on Saturday, April 3, 2021 issued a statement signed by DSP Juliana Obeng, the head of the Criminal Investigative Department (CID)’s Public Affairs, on the arrest of the journalist rubbishing reports that he [Mr. Tameklo] was arrested at gunpoint.
DSP Juliana Obeng stated that “Suspect was arrested on alleged offences of an attempt to commit a crime to wit: extortion contrary to section 18(1) and 151(1) and the publication of false news contrary to section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29).”
However, Lawyer Tamakloe says the charge of extortion was only an afterthought.
In a Facebook post, the lawyer recounted:
“His junior officers took a statement from David Tamakloe on Thursday for the offence of false publication. On Thursday, there was no issue of blackmail or extortion. It is an afterthought because I pointed out to the investigator, Inspector Charles Adjei that he is yet to publish the story. That he is still speaking to the people involved to ensure fairness.”
“How do you arrest such a person?” – Lawyer Tameklo quizzed
Lawyer Eduzdi Tameklo has since accused the Police of fabricating the narrative on his brother’s arrest.
Now that the Ghana Police Service decided to put that fabricated narrative out, we will go all out.
Please if you are close to Senior Police officer who is desirous of helping the wife, Mrs Eunice Boah Asomah Hinneh, let the Police withdraw that statement before 11am.”
Read his full Facebook post:
I have seen a statement from the Ghana Police Service on the arrest of my brother David Sitsope Tamakloe .
I have avoided two interviews from Joyfm and Starrfm on this issue.
Now that the Ghana Police Service decided to put that fabricated narrative out, we will go all out.
Please if you are close to Senior Police officer who is desirous of helping the wife, Mrs Eunice Boah Asomah Hinneh, let the Police withdraw that statement before 11am.
His junior officers took a statement from David Tamakloe on Thursday for the offence of false publication.
On Thursday, there was no issue of blackmail or extortion.
It is an afterthought because I pointed out to the Investigator, Inspector Charles Adjei that he is yet to publish the story. That he is still speaking to the people involved to ensure fairness.
How do you arrest such a person?
Mr Senior Police officer, do you know that your wife suggested to meet David? And even suggested Tema?
David in his statement to the police indicated that he has the businesswoman on tape proposing the meeting.
I have subsequently listened to the conversation.
Does Mr Asoma Hinneh know that the wife indicated to David that the allegations against her are “hearsay.”?
And that she knows her competitors are behind it and that she suspects it?
She had to even apologise to David.
Mr Asoma Hinneh, it is natural to try to protect and defend your wife, your approach in causing the arrest of David and this unprofessional statement from the Police will hurt only your wife.
I pray this matter gets to court, so you can see how you have decided to mess your wife up with your panic reaction.
Do you know that your wife even expressed her gratitude to David for at least reaching out to her to hear her side of the story before publication?
So how do you arrest such a person?
Do you know that we were almost done with the bail execution before the call came yesterday that they should take additional statement on the issue of extortion?
So on the bail bond, it is still false publication on it?
If you know Mr Asoma Hinneh, tell him to do the needful.
So far, I have calmed my brother not to go on the offensive.
Like the wife stated in the audio, she started her business in the 1970s, that’s why David obliged her invitation.
I am not surprised at the afterthought inclusion of the
