Insulting a president is not an offence - Kofi Bentil

Senior lawyer and IMANI Africa Vice-President, Kofi Bentil, has defended the right to free speech following the controversy surrounding the arrest and prosecution of social media commentator Camilla Alhassan over remarks she made about President John Dramani Mahama.

Reacting to the matter, Bentil said citizens should not face legal consequences simply for expressing offensive opinions about political leaders.

“Insulting a president is not an offense. No one must suffer for what they say,” he stated.

He, however, noted that the law could apply where a person’s comments amount to defamation.

“Unless they are guilty of defamation,” he added.

Bentil stressed that freedom of speech loses its meaning if people can be imprisoned for insulting those in authority.

“Free speech means nothing if people are jailed for insulting leaders,” he said.

He concluded by arguing that criminalising insults directed at political leaders is inconsistent with democratic principles.

“Only despots and failed nations do that,” Bentil stated.