The 16 accused persons who invaded the United Television (UTV) studios at Tesano in the Greater Accra Region on October 7, 2023, have been convicted and sentenced to a fine by the Achimota District Court.A group affiliated with the NPP stormed the UTV studios during the live broadcast of its entertainment program, United Showbiz, shortly after it commenced.The show then abruptly went off air while commercials filled the screen.

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The group trooped in to demand the removal of musician Kwame A-Plus, from the programme for tearing up a letter said to be from the communication wing of the NPP.Videos of the incident went viral on social media with many condemning the intrusion, while others questioned the state of security at the media house.Hours later, the Police in a statement announced that it had arrested 16 persons involved in the incident.

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They were subsequently charged with being on the premises for unlawful purposes and arraigned before court today, October 16, 2023.The accused persons pleaded guilty to the charge against them. They were, therefore, convicted on their own pleas and sentenced to a fine of 200 penalty units each which amounts to GH₵ 2,400.00, and in default 3 months imprisonment.

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They were also ordered by the Court to sign a bond to be of good behaviour for 6 months in default 6 months imprisonment.The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has distanced itself from the invasion of UTV studios by some of its members last Saturday, October 7, 2023.In response to the brouhaha, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party has rendered an apology to UTV, noting that it would cooperate with the police to investigate the matter.

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Director of Communications for the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah, who engaged the press noted that the party did not sanction anyone to go and disrupt the United Showbiz programme.He is quoted to have said “We think that the attack is unacceptable, and it’s condemnable.”

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