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JUST IN: Minister caught on tape attempting to bribe Starr FM reporter

A minister of state at the presidency, Rockson Ayine Bukari, has been caught on tape in a frantic and desperate effort to prevent a journalist from publishing a damning story against a Chinese mining company when he was heading the Upper East region.

Daily Mail GH has chanced on a tape implicating Mr. Bukari in a coordinated plan by people in high places to drop an undercover report carried out by a Starr FM journalist Edward Adeti, involving a judge in the Upper East region.

The most senior judge in the Upper East region, Justice Jacob B. Boon, was caught meeting officials of Shaanxi Mining Company Ltd – a party in a case before him – day and night in November 2018 at his residence.

The journalist, Mr. Adeti confronted officials of Shaanxi and the judge with his evidence two days prior to judgment. Thereafter, he began receiving telephone calls from some powerful figures, who are linked to Shaanxi, pleading strongly on behalf of the judge and the Chinese-owned company to not publish the findings.

Daily Mail GH can confirm Mr. Bukari was one of the powerful figures who allegedly arranged cash inducement and other gifts for the journalist to kill the story.

In the recorded telephone conversation in possession of Dailymailgh.com, the former Upper East regional minister was heard pleading heaven and earth with the reporter to shred the story.

“I want you to do something for me. If something is not good, I won’t tell you,” Mr. Bukari started off in the conversation.

He continued: “The Shaanxi people we supported them all along. You know they are not reliable. Their hands are too hard. Don’t publish that story, because that judge [Justice Jacob B. Boon] is a very good friend of mine. When I was a registrar of the House they were all with me. Ambrose Dery, he Kolendi and then Avoka and others I gave them an office at the House of chiefs.

“I beg you. In this world, it is a small world. I beg you. Talk to them. Monday I’ll let them get something for you. I beg you. I’m kneeling down and begging you. Don’t publish it. I beg you. I won’t disappoint you. If I were to be there with you it won’t be a problem but now I’m not there. I told them their hands are too hard and that is not good,” Mr. Bukari cajoled the reporter.

He went on to inform the reporter there are other powerful people who want the story to stay in the dark.

“The [chief] said I should talk to you not to do it because it will affect them. I’ve told them to try to see you on Monday. Everything will be ok for you so I beg you. I’m now in charge of special duties and I’m to go to all the regions and next week I’ll go to Brong Ahafo to solve problems.

“So I’m assuring you that Monday, you’ll here from Suade [sic]. Don’t try and publish it. I’ll be coming around and I’ll call you so that we meet,” Mr. Bukari concluded.

The bribe

True to Bukari’s words, on the appointed day, Shaanxi officials brought a bribe of Gh¢5,000 cash in a brown envelope and a brand new motorbike worth about Gh¢5,000 to the investigative journalist for him to kill the story.

“We know you are using a very wretched motorbike. This is just the beginning for you,” one of the officials told the journalist after the motorbike was delivered. “We have held a meeting to see how every month you’ll get something from us. If you publish it, it would affect many people including the judge who is about to retire.”

According to the reporter, “strong threats trailed the telephone calls in the form of caution” to him from known and unknown sources to have the findings quashed.

On Monday November 26, 2018, the judge, after presiding over arguments sequentially waged by a team of lawyers from each side against the other, and following weeks of studying the exhibits tendered before him by Cassius to buttress its claims and those tendered by Shaanxi in defence, ruled on the case.

The ruling favoured the Shaanxi Mining Company Ltd as the judge did not grant the interlocutory injunction the Cassius Mining Limited sought.

 

Source: dailymailgh.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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