Angry Duffuor sues Multi Media for damages

Former Governor of Bank of Ghana, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, has commenced legal action against Multi Media Group Limited an two other persons before a Kumasi High Court, for alleged defamation.

The two other co-defendants in the suit are Kwadwo Amponsem, a Kumawu palace attendant and Mr. Kofi Asante, a radio presenter of Nhyira FM in Kumasi.

A writ of summons filed last Friday by Mr. Ohene Amankwah-Gyan, seeking a GH¢100, 000 aggravated or exemplary damages for defamation against the defendants.

The immediate past Minister of Finance averred in his 24-point statement of claim that first defendant, Amponsem, falsely and maliciously spoke and published statements calculated to cast aspersions on his integrity, image and person, by opening him to public disgrace, hatred and contempt.

He stated that Kofi Asante, the third defendant, allegedly permitted Amponsem to maliciously malign him on air during a Nhyira FM programme, dubbed “Kukurantumi”, on September 6, 2014.

The Plaintiff claimed that the first defendant, in an interview by the third defendant made defamatory allegations against him on a local radio station, owned and operated by the second defendant, to the effect that he (plaintiff) sponsored some candidate to undermine the approval of the nominated DCE and that the was responsible for instigating some members of the Assembly for he intended passage of ‘vote of no confidence’ in the District Chief Executive.

Dr. Duffuor also stated that the third defendant had permitted the first defendant to falsely and maliciously broadcast to the hearing of the listeners of the programme that (he) Dr. Duffuor had clandestinely engaged some individuals to stir up chieftaincy crisis in the Kumawu Traditional area, because he abhorred peace in the area.

The first defendant is said to have indicated that the plaintiff was behind the institution of a law suit against the Asantehene and other related matters in order to destabilize peace in the area.

But the Plaintiff says the said Publications by the defendants are not only false but defamatory, since they were made with malicious intent and mischief.

He also said it is completely untrue to suggest that he was in anyway involved in the commission of any of the acts attributed to him by the first defendant as published by the radio station.

The plaintiff contended that by the said publication, he had suffered serious damage to his character and reputation as an honourable and reputed banker, politician and businessman, as the defendants had portrayed him as vindictive and dishonest person and someone who detects the peace and progress Kumawu to right thinking members of the public.

Following, the former Minister of Finance is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publication as well compelling the first defendant to retract the statements made against the plaintiff via the second defendant radio station.