Ghanaian journalist Larry Dogbey sentenced to seven days in jail over publication on Kevin Okyere-Petraco SA petition
via GhanaWeb1 min read
Larry Dogbey, a journalist and Managing Editor of The Herald newspaper, has been sentenced to seven days in prison by an Accra High Court. The conviction, delivered by Justice Isaac Addo on June 25, 2026, stems from a publication concerning businessman Kevin Okyere and multinational company Petraco SA. Dogbey expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating that The Herald's article was based on a petition filed by Petraco SA with state investigative bodies, including the Criminal Investigations Department, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, and the Attorney-General's Department. He maintained that the newspaper was fulfilling its journalistic duty by reporting on the petition's contents and described the conviction as unjust, asserting that journalism is not a crime. Specific charges leading to the conviction were not immediately disclosed.
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Must ReadFormer Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has filed a new application with the Supreme Court, requesting a review of orders issued on May 28, 2026. These orders were related to cases challenging her removal from office. Justice Torkornoo argues that the court's actions on that date affected her right to a fair hearing and led to an unjust outcome. She states that the court proceeded with major decisions, including merging two cases and setting the consolidated matter for judgment, despite her not having legal representation in one case and the Attorney General's absence. She also alleges that an order for personal service was not carried out, with documents delivered to a lawyer representing her in a different case while he was out of the country. Justice Torkornoo is asking the Supreme Court to review and set aside the orders made on May 28, 2026.
Private legal practitioner Thaddeus Sory commented on the ECOWAS Community Court's dismissal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo's case against the Ghanaian government. In a Facebook post on June 24, 2026, Sory wrote, "The law is the law. It is still the law. And this is the law." The ECOWAS Community Court unanimously dismissed all seven claims brought by Justice Torkornoo on June 24, 2026, concerning her removal from office. Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed the ruling, stating that the court found no violation of Torkornoo's rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. The court also declined to award the US$10 million in damages sought by Justice Torkornoo, concluding that Ghana had not violated any of her rights. Justice Torkornoo had filed two applications at the ECOWAS Court, arguing that her right to a fair hearing under the 1992 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights had been violated, and that the process against her was arbitrary and capricious. She sought a declaration that her suspension violated her rights, an order for reinstatement, and US$10 million in compensation.
Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, has explained that former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo cannot appeal the recent ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice. The ECOWAS Court, on June 24, 2026, dismissed all seven claims filed by former Chief Justice Torkornoo against Ghana, stating that due process was followed in her suspension and removal. The court also rejected her demand for $10 million in damages. Fuseini, speaking on United Television UTV, clarified that the ECOWAS Court's decisions are final and not subject to further appeal, as it is a regional body providing remedies when local justice is perceived to be denied. He emphasized that there is no higher court to appeal to once the ECOWAS Court delivers a ruling. Fuseini also noted that removal from the Supreme Court results in the loss of all compensation. He dismissed suggestions of political motivation behind the petition against Torkonoo, citing similar past petitions, including one by private legal practitioner Kwaku Azar during former President Akufo-Addo鈥檚 era.