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The Court of Appeal has reportedly ordered a retrial in the defamation suit involving former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong and veteran journalist Kweku Baako Jnr.
Multiple reports indicate that the appellate court also directed Kweku Baako Jnr to refund all monies paid to himunder the earlier High Court judgment within 30 days, pending the outcome of the fresh trial.
Background to the Dispute
In June 2020, an Accra High Court ruled in favour of Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, in a defamation case against Kennedy Agyapong, who was then the Member of Parliament for Assin Central.
The court ordered Agyapong to:
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Retract the defamatory statements
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Issue apologies on three separate occasions on the same platforms used
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Pay GH¢100,000 in damages
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Pay an additional GH¢30,000 as costs
Lawsuit Filed in 2018
Kweku Baako filed the suit in 2018, accusing the lawmaker of making defamatory remarks about him during multiple appearances on an Accra-based radio station.
Among the statements cited in court was Agyapong’s claim that:
“You, Anas and your lawyer… they are real evil guys… Kweku Baako will collapse the NPP government should he allow it. Have you seen what he started with Charlotte Osei?”
Adom FM Comments Cited in Court
In his writ of summons, Baako also referenced comments allegedly made by Agyapong on Adom Badwam, a programme aired on Adom FM on July 24, 2018, and hosted by Omanhene Kwabena Asante.
When a panellist suggested that Baako was close to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Agyapong reportedly responded:
“You don’t know the guy very well. Best of friends because of what he can get… You don’t know the guy very well.”
He was further quoted on the same programme as saying:
“I said he is not a saint. Kweku Baako is not a saint. He is evil… very evil man.”
Reliefs Sought by Kweku Baako
Kweku Baako asked the court to compel Kennedy Agyapong to:
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Publish retractions and apologies on the same platforms where the statements were made
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Offer an unqualified apology with equal prominence
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Pay GH¢25 million in damages for defamation
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Cover all legal and related costs
Appeal Court Decision
While the High Court initially ruled in favour of Baako, the Court of Appeal’s directive for a retrial effectively reopens the legal battle between the two prominent public figures.
