COURT THROWS OUT CARLOS SAKYI’S APPEAL

A Court in Accra has this morning thrown out an appeal by the embattled ex, lead-head of the music rights protection body, Ghana Music Right Organisation (GHAMRO), Carlos Sakyi and others.

Confirming the court’s decision Mr. Ahmed Banda also known as Bandex who was also a member of the dissolved interim GHAMRO board said on Neat FM’s “Entertainment Ghana” today that the court has refused to give the stay of execution which Mr. Carlos Sakyi, Mark Okraku Mantey, Amandziba, John Mensah Sarpong and K.K. Kaboobo were seeking in court.

Asked what the mood of Mr. Sakyi and his followers after the court's decision, Bandex said Carlos and the other members on his side looked very disappointed and surprise.

According to sources Mr. Sakyi and his lawyers were in court this morning to seek for an appeal over a July 11 ruling that asked him to step aside for a new appointed board to oversee the body’s affairs until fresh elections are held. The case has been adjourned to Friday July 25, 2014.

It will be recalled that an Accra Human Rights Court ruled on Friday July 11, 2014 that the head of the music rights protection body, GHAMRO, should step aside for new five member board to take over.
The ruling saw Okyeame Kwame, Enoch Agyepong, and Aboagye DaCosta with a representative each from the copyright office and the Attorney General’s office to take charge of the body’s affairs for the next six months before fresh elections are held.

A major ruling that should offer some relief to the over 100 musicians who took it to court, it was lead-headed by veteran musician, Nana Kwame Ampadu, in a pool that also included composers, song writers, and music producers.

They accused the then GHAMRO boss, and his charges of ‘embezzling’ funds collected on their behalf. Filed on Thursday, May 15, 2014, the writ maintained among other concerns that GHAMRO “have deliberately refused to organize even a single Annual General Meeting since May 2011 when they took office as interim Board Members.”

“Carlos Sakyi, Amandzeba, K.K. Kabobo and Mark Okraku Mantey,” the writ also stated “have been dissipating the funds of the organization to the disadvantage of the Rights Owners and have been paying themselves monthly salaries between GH¢2,000 and GH¢4,000, excluding other allowances, even though the regulation of the organization expressly forbids the payment of salaries.”

They made their first court appearance on June 2.