Accra, Ghana – May 2026 – Media personality Abubakar Ahmed, known as Blakk Rasta, is facing a contempt of court application filed at the High Court by Dr. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple and Sesi-Edem Company Limited. The applicants accuse the broadcaster of scandalising the judiciary and undermining justice through public broadcasts concerning ongoing legal proceedings.
Background of the Case
The legal action stems from a series of broadcasts made by Blakk Rasta between April 13 and April 28, 2026. These broadcasts, disseminated across his media platforms including a YouTube channel, addressed a High Court case involving the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple. The proceedings include issues related to a court order freezing the applicant’s accounts and a pending motion for stay of execution.
Allegations of Scandalising the Court
Lawyers for Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple and Sesi-Edem Company Limited allege that Blakk Rasta engaged in a sustained campaign designed to target the court, the presiding judge Justice Richard Appietu, the parties involved, and their legal representatives. The application cites specific statements made by the respondent, which the applicants describe as harsh and derogatory.
Among the contentious remarks, Blakk Rasta is accused of claiming that the judge had “messed up the whole thing.” Furthermore, he allegedly attributed statements to other judges suggesting confusion and a lack of association with the ruling. The applicants argue these statements falsely portray the judiciary as divided and disassociating itself from the court’s decisions.
Another broadcast reportedly contained remarks implying that a judge declined involvement to avoid “soiling” his hands. The applicants interpret this phrase as an insinuation that the court’s decision is tainted by impropriety or corruption, thereby undermining public trust in the judicial system.
Encouraging Disregard for Judicial Authority
The applicants also highlighted remarks made by Blakk Rasta in a separate broadcast, stating: “Tanko is going to the court, where we all are supposed to get justice ultimately. But again, our courts are seen to have some rodents in there who can just do anything as Anas Aremeyaw Anas exposed to us the other day in his exposé… Congratulations for EOCO for not getting frightened or hindered by any court or anything that has to do with the law.”
Counsel for the applicants contend that these statements not only employ offensive language against members of the judiciary but also actively encourage defiance of judicial authority. Praising EOCO for not being “hindered by any court or anything that has to do with the law” is seen as a public endorsement of non-compliance with court orders, posing a serious threat to the rule of law.
Broader Implications for the Judiciary
Taken collectively, these broadcasts are argued to form a continuous narrative aimed at eroding public confidence in the judiciary. The applicants assert that such actions constitute the common law offence of scandalising the court and also amount to intimidation of court officers.
The contempt application, filed by Mawunyo Kofi Adjaho of Knightscild Chambers, seeks an order to commit Blakk Rasta to prison for contempt of court. The matter is scheduled for hearing at the High Court in Accra in May 2026. Blakk Rasta had not formally responded to the application at the time of reporting.
What to Watch Next
The upcoming hearing will be closely watched to see how the High Court addresses allegations of scandalising the judiciary and intimidating court officers. The outcome could set a precedent for how public commentary on ongoing legal cases is managed, particularly concerning the balance between freedom of expression and the imperative to uphold judicial integrity and public confidence in the justice system.
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