Mugabe begs NAPO after being dragged to court

Ghanaian journalist and host of Inside Politics on TV XYZ, Salifu Maase, popularly known as Mugabe, has rendered an unqualified apology to former Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, over derogatory remarks made against him on his programme some time ago.

According to Mugabe, he is sorry for airing footage and an audio recording that accused NAPO of paying some individuals to deliberately cause power outages in an attempt to sabotage the government.

Speaking on his programme, excerpts of which have been shared on social media, he said, "We played an audio on this platform about ECG officials, and NAPO's name was mentioned in it, claiming he had met with some people.

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"I, Mugabe Maase, will not sit here and say that NAPO has done anything wrong. If that audio has caused any inconvenience, I sit here as the host of the programme and General Manager to apologise to the former Member of Parliament for Manhyia South and to NAPO.

"NDC and NPP are not enemies. There was no such meeting, so I apologise to Matthew Opoku Prempeh."

Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has filed a defamation suit against two media outlets, seeking GH¢20 million in damages over allegations that he was involved in a scheme to sabotage electricity supply in parts of the Ashanti Region.

The suit, filed through the law firm Sarkodie Baffour Awuah & Partners, also names radio and television host Salifu Maase, also known as Mugabe Maase, as a defendant.

The plaintiff alleges that during an edition of Inside Politics, broadcast on TV XYZ and Power 97.9 FM, the host aired an audio recording from an anonymous source accusing him of paying district engineers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Ashanti Region to deliberately disrupt power supply.

Court filings state that the recording contained claims that several ECG district engineers and political figures allegedly met, received payments, and were instructed to switch off electricity in parts of the region.

The plaintiff contends that the allegations are false, malicious and damaging to his reputation, arguing that they portray him as engaging in unlawful conduct and undermining the national interest.

He further maintains that the publication has harmed the public image he has built through years of public service, including recognition from institutions such as the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

According to court documents, NAPO is seeking a declaration that the statements broadcast on TV XYZ and Power 97.9 FM on May 4, 2026, are defamatory. He is also seeking an order compelling an unqualified retraction and apology to be published with equal prominence within seven days of judgment.

Additionally, he is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from further publishing what he describes as defamatory material, as well as an order preventing the media platforms from being used to disseminate false and malicious claims about him.

The suit also demands costs, including legal fees, and any other reliefs the court may deem appropriate.

Radio/TV host Salifu Maase, aka Mugabe Maase has apologized on live TV on TV XYZ over the broadcast, as former Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, aka “Napo”, pushes ahead with a GHC20 million defamation suit against TV XYZ, Power 97.9 FM and Mugabe himself.#Asaase pic.twitter.com/jeHDeuBWkb

— Asaase 99.5 (@asaaseradio995) June 30, 2026

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