Editor of The Herald newspaper, Larry Dogbey, has been sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment by an Accra High Court in a case linked to the newspaper’s reporting on businessman Kevin Okyere and Swiss multinational company Petraco SA.
Dogbey disclosed the development in a social media post on Thursday, June 25, 2026, shortly after the court’s decision.
“Justice Isaac Addo of an Accra High Court has just convicted me and sentenced me to seven days’ imprisonment in the case involving Kevin Okyere and Petraco SA,” he wrote.
The specific grounds for the conviction were not immediately detailed in Dogbey’s statement.
Reports centred on Kevin Okyere and Petraco SA
The Herald has published several reports in recent months concerning allegations involving Mr Okyere, founder of Springfield Energy, and Petraco SA.
Among the newspaper’s most prominent publications was a February 2026 report that linked President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to Dubai to the reported release of Mr Okyere from detention in the United Arab Emirates.
The newspaper had also extensively reported claims that Okyere was arrested in Dubai in November 2025, an issue that attracted significant public and media attention.
Dogbey defends newspaper’s reporting
Reacting to the court ruling, Dogbey maintained that the newspaper’s reports were based on information contained in petitions submitted to several state institutions.
According to him, the petitions were reportedly filed with agencies including the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), and the Office of the Attorney-General.
Despite the conviction, Dogbey expressed his determination to continue his work as a journalist.
“Ghana deserves better. Journalism is not a crime,” he stated.
Public reactions emerge
The sentencing has generated discussion among media practitioners and members of the public, particularly given The Herald’s reputation as a newspaper often perceived to be sympathetic to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Some supporters have described the conviction as a setback for press freedom, while others argue that media organisations must remain accountable for the accuracy and legal implications of their publications.
One social media user, identified as Togbe Ngoryifiaga, reacted to the news by expressing sympathy for Dogbey and questioning the court’s priorities.
The case is expected to draw further attention as stakeholders seek more details about the ruling and its implications for journalism and media practice in Ghana.
