Contemnor Afia Schwar shows up in court
The Tema High Court will determine the fate of socialite Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa, popularly known as Afia Schwarzenegger on January 17, 2023 after she showed up in court today
The court, presided over by Emmanuel Ankamah on Tuesday (December 20, 2022) took the decision to decide her fate on January 17 after counsel of the Afia Schwarzenegger, Adrian Duke Amaning moved a motion on notice for a filed variation of the sentence imposed on her.
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The Court on December 1, 2022 sentenced Afia Schwarzenegger to 10 days in prison for contempt of court.
She was not present when the judgment was pronounced and the court issued a bench warrant for her arrest.
Her legal team however triggered processes and subsequently produced her in court today (December 20).
'Early bird in court'
Afia Schwar reported early to court on Tuesday (December 20, 2022 in the company of her lawyer and other relative for the hearing of the case.
When the case was called, lawyer for Afia Schwarzenegger, Adrian Duke Amaning moved a motion on notice for a variation of the sentence.
Coming under Order 50 Rule 4(1) and Rule 5 of the High Court (Civil Procedures) Rules which deals with suspension of an order and discharge of a person committed respectively, he prayed the court to suspend the sentence.
Order 50 Rule 4(1) states that the Court which makes an order of committal may by an order direct that the execution of the order of committal shall be suspended for such period or on such other terms and conditions as it may specify, while Rule 5 (1) states that the Court may, on the application of any person committed to prison for contempt of court, discharge the person.
Apology
Mr Amaning further indicated that her client had shown remorse and came to court with a written apology which she intended to tender in court.
He further sought permission of the court to have her client publish the apology.
Lawyer Maurice Ampaw, counsel for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wuntumi who cited Afia Schwarzenegger for contempt, however opposed the application and prayed the court to uphold the custodial sentence handed down on December 1, 2022.
Related: Fadda Dickson, McBrown, A-Plus, Afia Schwar, Mr Logic convicted for contempt of court
The Presiding Judge, Justice Emmanuel Ankamah after hearing the arguments from both sides adjourned proceedings to January 17, 2023 adding the convict will know her fate on January 17, 2023.
Context
Afia Schwar and three other contemnors in the case filed by businessman and Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako also known as Chairman Wontumi, were convicted on December 1, 2022.
Chairman Wontumi had dragged Afia Schwarzenegger and the other contemnors including United Television (UTV) to court after she and the other contemnors decided to run commentary on a case pending before the court during an entertainment show, the United Showbiz, broadcasted on UTV in July 2022.
The three contemnors namely Felicity Ama Agyeman, aka Nana Ama Mcbrown, Kwame Asare Obeng, alias Kwame A-Plus and Emmanuel Barnes alias Mr Logic were fined GH¢60,000 each (5,000 penalty units), a fine they have since paid.
A fourth person Fadda Dickson Narh, an Executive Producer of United Television (UTV), was pardoned by the court after the court held that he showed remorse before the case was brought to it by causing a publication to be made on UTV apologising.
Afia Schwarzenegger, who was also a panelist on the United Showbiz programme aired on UTV was sentenced to 10 days in prison for contempt of court.
She was however not in court and therefore a bench warrant was issued for her arrest.
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