An Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Georgina Mensah Datsa has fined Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah, Despite Media for defaming the Chief Executive Officer of Engineers and Planners, Ibrahim Mahama.
The Court directed both Despite Media and Kofi Owusu-Bempah to publish a retraction and apology in the Daily Graphic and on the same platform, those defamatory words that were used against the plaintiff.
Respecting the decision of the Court, Despite Media has on Thursday, October 15, 2020, and Friday, October 16, 2020. rendered an unqualified apology to the business mogul, Ibrahim Mahama for allowing their reputed platform to be used by Communications Director of the Ghana Gas Company Limited Ernest Owusu Bempah to lower and make him a subject for public ridicule.
The Despite News Organization was also instructed to remove the said defamatory material about the plaintiffs from all archives.
Reading the apology on UTV, News Anchor, Yaa Kuramah said, Despite Media thank Mr. Ibrahim Mahama for waving the court fine on us (Despite Media) and for accepting their apology with the warning of go and sin no more.
However, the Businessman/Philanthropist has entered execution of the full judgment against Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah to honor all the reliefs pronounced against him including the monetary fine.
The CEO of Engineers and Planners, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, in 2018 sued the Communications Director of the Ghana National Gas Company, Ernest Owusu Bempah, along with the Despite Group of Companies – owners of private TV station UTV for defamation.
The court presided by Justice Georgina Mensah Datsa (High Court, Accra) in 2019, granted all the reliefs except the cost of GH¢2 million which the judge awarded GH¢300,000.
The judge also warned communicators who go on media platforms to malign innocent people to desist from such acts because that will not be tolerated.
“Ernest Owusu Bempah by publishing those words directed at the person of Ibrahim Mahama, he has defamed him. I shall proceed to grant judgment in favor of the Plaintiff, Ibrahim Mahama. As we move towards next year’s election, we need to be guided,” Justice Georgina Datsa said in the 2019 ruling.
About The Author
