The Accra Circuit Court 4 has ordered the police to release mobile phones belonging to Shatta Wale and his teammates, which are still in their possession.
This was when they reappeared before the court presided over by Emmanuel Essandor on November 8, 2021.
During the proceedings, the lawyer for both the dancehall artiste and his team members, Jerry Avenorgbo, told the judge the items were confiscated at the time of arrest and yet to be released.
Mr Avenorgbo argued that his clients largely depend on their mobile phones due to the kind of work they do, hence the police’s continuous withholding them will affect their livelihood.
He added all information the police would need for their investigation are already on social media as such, going into his clients’ phones would only serve to breach their privacy.
Judge Emmanuel Essandor thus ruled that “It is not the work of the defence to help the prosecution to do their case. After all, the accused is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
The phones of the accused should be released to them. The alleged offences were allegedly made on social media.”
The case has been adjourned to December 7, 2021.