General News of Thursday, 12 September 2013

Source: XYZ

Otumfuo bribery slur disgraceful - Haruna Atta

Alhaji Haruna Atta, Editor-in-Chief of the Accra Daily Mail newspaper has described as “disgraceful and shameful” the allegation that Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II bribed some Supreme Court judges to rule in favour of President Mahama in the election petition case.

The New Free Press newspaper recently published the allegation which sparked a wave of radio discussions that slurred the Asante monarch.

Some accusing fingers have been pointed at the NPP as being behind the publication but its General Secretary Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie in an interview with XYZ News said his party has no hand in the publication.

He said "Otumfuo is an eminent Chief and is well respected internationally and nationally and therefore Otumfuo would not stoop so low to get himself in an ugly allegation that involves John Mahama and his team.

The Manhyia Palace has already denied the allegation and is expected to respond accordingly.

Speaking on the XYZ Breakfast show on Thursday, Alhaji Haruna Atta stated that Manhyia Palace should make a formal complaint to the Media Commission for record purposes and ignore the allegation.

“There are certain things that shouldn’t be given the oxygen of publicity to even make them spread…with that particular issue; it is shameful, it is disgraceful and I don’t think I should even add my voice to it” Mr. Atta said.

He added that respect for Chiefs in our various communities seems to be waning which has given way to such baseless and unnecessary allegations.