Managing Editor of The Herald newspaper, Larry Alans Dogbey, has asked the Court of Appeal to overturn his contempt conviction, arguing that the High Court order he was accused of breaching was so vaguely worded that he couldn't know with certainty what conduct was prohibited.

According to a statement dated July 6, 2026, Alans Dogbey's appeal centres on the wording of an interlocutory injunction that restrained him from publishing 'statements intended to undermine and tarnish' the reputation of businessman Kevin Okyere.

In the notice of appeal filed on July 1, 2026, the veteran journalist contends that the order required the court to determine his subjective intention rather than applying an objective legal standard, making it incapable of fair enforcement.

He maintains that the wording required the court to determine his subjective intention rather than applying an objective legal standard, making it impossible for him to know with certainty what conduct was prohibited.

Alans Dogbey argues that because the injunction did not clearly define the publications that would constitute a breach, it failed to provide the certainty required for compliance with a court order.

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The appeal forms part of his challenge to the June 25, 2026, decision of the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Isaac Addo, which convicted him of contempt and sentenced him to seven days' imprisonment in proceedings initiated by businessman Kevin Okyere.

Beyond the alleged vagueness of the injunction, the appeal contends that the order amounted to an unconstitutional prior restraint on freedom of expression because it prevented future publications before the substantive defamation suit had been determined.

Alans Dogbey further argues that the trial court wrongly inferred malice from his publications while overlooking evidence that the reports were produced in good faith and based on official and credible sources, including correspondence from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ministry of Energy, court documents from the United Kingdom, and admissions allegedly made by Okyere during cross-examination.

He also maintains that the High Court failed to apply the correct standard of proof required in contempt proceedings, which are quasi-criminal in nature and require proof beyond reasonable doubt.

The appeal additionally argues that his publications were protected under Articles 162 and 165 of the 1992 Constitution because they concerned matters of public interest relating to Ghana's oil and gas sector and relied on official records and judicial decisions.

Alans Dogbey is asking the Court of Appeal to set aside both his conviction and seven-day custodial sentence, declare the interlocutory injunction issued on June 11, 2025, void and of no legal effect, and quash the injunction.

Read the full statement below



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