General News of Friday, 14 July 2023

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Use of Kusi Boateng, Adu Gyamfi by one person borders on criminality - Court

Victor Kusi Boateng also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi play videoVictor Kusi Boateng also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi

An Accra High Court has ruled that there is a lack of transparency and elements of criminality in the way and manner Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng is operating separately as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

In a summary of the court's ruling available to GhanaWeb, beside the fact that two separate personalities are proven, it held that "the way the two identities were used does not suggest a simple case of two different names, but rather two independent and totally separate identities to conceal applicant’s dealings in a manner that was not obvious, until the investigations and publications of 1st Respondent."

The applicant in this case was Victor Kusi Boateng who approached the court to cause the respondent (Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa) to stop making critical publications about him.

The court added: "Applicant’s assertion that the use of two names in the manner he has done is not a crime under our laws is misconceived, as the two identities were used in a pattern of duplicity depicting a lack of transparency and this conduct borders on criminality."

Kusi Boateng, the Secretary and Board of Trustee member of the National Cathedral project, has by the ruling been dealt a second blow in his ongoing court battles with Ablakwa.

The first loss was related to an application for Ablakwa to be held in contempt of court for disrespecting the courts when he kicked a summons that was being served on the lawmaker.

Ablakwa on July 13 published portions of the summary of the court's ruling declaring it "legal victory to the masses who have kept me resolute with their prayers and support for transparent and accountable governance."



Read Ablakwa's full post below:

The Human Rights Court has today dismissed Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng/Kwabena Adu Gyamfi’s application which sought to restrain me.

The court’s judgment was emphatic that my parliamentary oversight had unraveled two distinct identities in conduct which borders on criminality and therefore the application was dismissed for lack of capacity and locus standi.

The judge awarded cost of GHS10,000.00 against Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng/Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. This is the second time cost has been awarded against Kusi Boateng/Adu Gyamfi.

I dedicate this latest legal victory to the masses who have kept me resolute with their prayers and support for transparent and accountable governance.

I am indebted to my outstanding legal team.
2 down; 1 more to go in his defamation suit.
For God and Country.
Ghana First ????????

Summary of Judgment

It has been proven that Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and Victor Kusi Boateng are two separate identities concurrently used by the Applicant and 1st Respondent is justified in his claims that, Victor Kusi Boateng is not an alias but another separate identity altogether.

The way the two identities were used does not suggest a simple case of two different names, but rather two independent and totally separate identities to conceal applicant’s dealings in a manner that was not obvious, until the investigations and publications of 1st Respondent.

Applicant’s assertion that the use of two names in the manner he has done is not a crime under our laws is misconceived, as the two identities were used in a pattern of duplicity depicting a lack of transparency and this conduct borders on criminality.

The Application was sought to be enforced under Article 33(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires an Applicant’s personal interest in the matter to confer locus standi.

From the record, it is not clear which of the two separate identities seeks to enforce its fundamental human rights by this suit. And once there is a clear case of double identity presented and proven before this court, this Application is dismissed for lack of capacity and locus standi.

Costs of GHC10,000 awarded against the Applicant in favour of the 1st Respondent.