Prosecutors in the case involving Dancehall artistes Charles Nii Armah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, and Livingstone Etse Satekla, aka Stonebwoy, have appealed for adequate time to compile evidence for the trial process.
Appearing before the Adjabeng District Court Thursday, the state, represented by Superintendent Emelia Asante argued, that the plea will allow for the statement of the last witness out of the four presented to the court to be taken and subsequently presented for hearing.
The court granted the appeal and adjourned the case to the 16th of July, by which time all statements must have been filed to facilitate proceedings.
This is the second appearance made by the duo after they were arraigned before court for Breach of Peace contrary to Section 2017 (1) of the Criminal and other Offences Act 1960 (Act 29).
Both artistes pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them and were granted bail during the first hearing.
Background
Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy were arrested in connection with the disturbances that rocked the 2019 VGMA.
The two have been charged with offensive conduct tending to the breaches of peace, while Stonebwoy faces an additional charge of display of weapon in a public place without permission, contrary to sections 7 (1) and 26 (1) (a) l of the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1972 (NRCD 9).
Prior to charge, they were both detained by the police after their statements were taken, they were granted bail subsequently.
What led to the arrest of the artistes, was an altercation between some members of the Shatta Movement (SM), the fan group aligned to Shatta Wale, and Stonebwoy’s fans, who are known as the BHIM Natives.
The raucous scenes happened after Stonebwoy was called on stage to receive the award for Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year at the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
Although it was unclear what triggered the fracas, patrons at the event and viewers who watched the show live on television alleged to have seen Shatta Wale walk towards the stage with some of his fans, while Stonebwoy was also seen pulling a gun before walking off stage.
Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale