Hopeson Adorye, a former member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who defected to the Movement for Change, has retracted his previous claim of using dynamite to scare voters in the Volta Region during the 2016 election, now stating that he used firecrackers instead.

Presenting the case, Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder informed the court that on May 2, 2024, the Police Administration's attention was drawn to a viral video on social media.

In the video, the accused was seen and heard stating that before the 2016 general elections, he took it upon himself to prevent Togolese from coming to vote in Ghana. This statement was made on the Accra-based radio station, Accra FM.

In his investigative caution statement, Mr. Adorye admitted to the video's content but clarified that it was firecrackers, not dynamite, that were used.

Mr. Adorye has been charged with the publication of false news, contrary to section 208(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29). On Thursday, he was granted bail of GH¢20,000.00 by a Dansoman Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Alima El Lawah Basit, after pleading not guilty to the charge.

He has been ordered to execute the bail bond with two sureties, one of which should be justified, and to report to the police station once a week.

Mr. Adorye was arrested 20 days after making the statement. The court hearing attracted members of the Movement for Change, including Patricia Christabel Kyerematen, wife of the founder, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen.