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Kofi Bentil criticizes criminal prosecution of TikToker Camilla Alhassan for comments about former President Mahama
via GhanaWeb1 min read
Kofi Bentil, a senior lawyer and Vice-President of IMANI Africa, has stated that TikToker Camilla Alhassan should not have faced criminal prosecution for comments she made about former President John Dramani Mahama. This follows the Accra Circuit Court's decision to sentence Alhassan to one year in prison after she pleaded guilty to offensive conduct and publishing false news. Alhassan was convicted for posting videos alleging, without evidence, that former President Mahama buried 32 cows for ritual purposes to win the 2024 general election. Bentil argued that while her statements might be defamatory, criminal prosecution is not the appropriate remedy. He emphasized the need to use correct legal remedies and to stop breaching rights, having previously advocated against criminal punishment for insulting or criticizing political leaders to protect free speech. Alhassan's lawyer, Kwadwo Gyamfi Bonsu, noted that the court dismissed the electronic abuse charge due to lack of jurisdiction but convicted her on offensive conduct. Despite appeals for a lighter sentence, the court imposed a custodial sentence, citing the need for deterrence against increasing similar offenses.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
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