A Human Rights Court has fined Hajia Fati Amadu, a loyalist of the New Patriotic Party GH¢9,000 for assaulting an Adom FM reporter last year, ABC News has gathered.
The fine is to serve as punitive damages to Ohemaa Sekyiwaa, the victim for breaching her constitutional and fundamental human rights.
The Court, in addition, ordered Hajia Fati to publish an unqualified apology to Sakyiwaa in the Daily Graphic Newspaper within 14 days of the judgement.
The Court, presided over by Justice Gifty Adjei Addo delivered its final ruling after more than a year of arguments by counsel for both parties.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party, attached to the suit, was not charged for any wrongdoing.
Hajia Fati was accused of slapping Ohemaa Sekyiwaa, who was covering events at the NPP’s headquarters in May last year as the NPP’s suspended Second National Vice Chair, Sammy Crabbe, went to pick his nomination forms.
She was reported to have slapped the journalist when she tried taking pictures of her at the party’s headquarters.
According to Ohemaa Sekyiwaa, Hajia Fati was infuriated at Mr Crabbe, for coming to the party’s headquarters to pick nomination forms to contest in the upcoming elections. In her bid to get an interview, the embittered Hajia Fati smashed the reporter’s phone and punched her mouth, accusing her of working for Mr Crabbe.
The incident triggered backlash from a section of the public, particularly journalists, some of whom threatened to boycott the party’s activities if it failed to sanction their own.
Although the NPP extended an apology to Ohemaa Sekyiwaa and the Multimedia Group for the ‘unfortunate and regrettable’ incident, the media organisation filed a complaint with the Nima Police Station, leading to the arrest of the staunch NPP supporter.
Hajia Fati was however granted bail as the Police proceeded with its investigations. After investigations were completed, she was arraigned before the Adjabeng Magistrate Court on charges of assault and damaging of property, charges she pleaded not guilty to.
The case dragged in Court for more than a year until the Human Rights Court finally gave its ruling, bringing closure to the protracted legal tussle.
Source: ABCNewsgh.com
