Blogger Sentenced to 30 Days Imprisonment for False News Causing Panic Withdrawals

Jeffrey Epprim Nyame, a blogger whose false news report caused widespread panic withdrawals from banks in 2022, has been sentenced to 30 days imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court.

The court, presided over by Isaac Addo, found Nyame guilty of publishing false information that incited fear among dollar account holders, prompting many to withdraw their funds in fear of an alleged policy change.

False Publication Sparks Financial Panic

Nyame's false report, which claimed that dollar account holders would receive cedis at the Bank of Ghana's exchange rate for withdrawals effective October 31, 2022, was shared widely across various WhatsApp platforms. The inaccurate news triggered panic, leading many account holders to rush to banks to withdraw their funds.

The trial highlighted the severity of the offence, especially in the age of social media where misinformation can quickly escalate and cause significant disruptions.

Judge Weighs Plea for Leniency

Despite Nyame's conviction, the court took into account pleas for leniency. Nyame, along with lawyer John Baptist Ayitse, who acted as a friend of the court, asked for forgiveness, citing that Nyame was young and had learned from his mistake.

The judge, while acknowledging the plea, emphasised the importance of maintaining discipline and accuracy in news reporting. Although Nyame’s offence was classified as a misdemeanour, the court stressed the gravity of the situation, given the current era of fast and unverified news circulation on social media.

Co-Accused Acquitted

The court, however, acquitted Jeremiah Kobina Egyabeng, an IT professional, who had been charged with abetment. Egyabeng had created the website reportghana.net, which Nyame used for his publication. While Egyabeng had assisted in setting up the platform, the court found that he was not involved in the actual publication of the false news.

Prosecution’s Case and Social Media Impact

Prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong, outlined how the news portal reportghana.net, managed by Nyame, was responsible for the dissemination of the false article. Nyame admitted to publishing the piece but claimed it originated from another news platform. However, investigations revealed that Nyame was, in fact, the author.

The case underscores the need for caution and responsibility in the fast-paced world of online journalism, where unverified information can lead to widespread consequences.