Mahama to settle 'defamation' case out of court

Businessman and brother of Ghana's president, Ibrahim Mahama, has indicated that his defamation court case against the Ashanti regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, may be settled out of court if the latter apologizes.

This was disclosed by his lawyer, Charles Zwennes, in court on Thursday, December 11 when they appeared for the case to be heard. The case was, however, not heard because the judge presiding over the case, Justice Ringo Azumah, did not turn up.

It was later revealed that Justice Azumah called in sick on the morning of the hearing. Speaking to the media after the adjournment, counsel for Ibrahim Mahama, Charles Zwennes said "the judge said he was unwell and the case had to be adjourned."

Mr. Zwennes, however, added that "we wouldn't mind settling this case out of court but the accused must apologise. He must say sorry and retract his comments he made about my client. When you say sorry, it doesn't make you a weak person, In fact it takes a bigger man to say sorry."

Asked about what he made of the pace of the trial, Mr. Zwennes said "the wheels of justice grind slowly and sometimes it grinds even slower in our country." The case has, however, been adjourned to 14th December 2014.

Meanwhile, lawyer for Chairman Wuntumi, Atta Adu Poku said "we are open to an out of court settlement. But if they want us to go for the full trial too, our defense is resolute and ready. Also, if our elders advice that we settle the case out of court, we would go ahead."

Ibrahim Mahama is suing chairman Wuntumi for allegedly defaming him in April this year when the latter alleged that President Mahama and his brother (the plaintiff) were siphoning the country's money and leaving Ghanaians to suffer.