Supreme Court Delivers Final Blow to Spio-Garbrah’s $10m Defamation Case Against Chairman Wontumi

The Supreme Court of Ghana has unanimously dismissed an appeal filed by former Minister of Trade and Industry and Special Envoy for Reparations, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, in his $10 million defamation lawsuit against New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The decision by the country’s highest court represents another major development in the long-running legal dispute between the two prominent Ghanaian personalities. The case arose from comments allegedly made by Chairman Wontumi, which Spio-Garbrah considered damaging to his reputation and standing in society.

According to reports, the former minister initiated legal proceedings against Wontumi, alongside his media organisations, Wontumi TV and Wontumi Radio. He accused the politician of making statements that portrayed him as a thief, arguing that the remarks were defamatory and had the potential to undermine the public confidence he had built throughout his political and professional career.

Spio-Garbrah subsequently sought legal redress, demanding $10 million in compensation for the alleged damage caused by the comments. His decision to pursue the matter in court attracted considerable public attention, particularly because both individuals are well-known figures in Ghana’s political environment.

The legal battle initially commenced at the Kumasi High Court, where the former minister presented his case against the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman and the media platforms associated with him.

However, the High Court dismissed the lawsuit, concluding that it lacked sufficient merit. Following the dismissal, the court also ordered Spio-Garbrah to pay GH¢150,000 in costs.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, the former Trade Minister decided to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court, hoping that the apex court would overturn the earlier decision and provide him with a favourable outcome.

His appeal was subsequently considered by a five-member panel of Supreme Court justices. After examining the matter, the judges unanimously rejected the appeal, leaving the earlier decision of the Kumasi High Court undisturbed.

The unanimous nature of the ruling means that all five members of the panel agreed that Spio-Garbrah’s appeal should not succeed. The decision therefore marks another setback for the former minister in his attempt to secure compensation over the alleged defamatory statements.

Meanwhile, Chairman Wontumi had previously denied that his comments were intended to damage Spio-Garbrah’s reputation. In his defence, the NPP regional chairman reportedly maintained that his remarks were based on his interpretation of statements made by former Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Inusah Fuseini.

Wontumi’s position was that he had not deliberately targeted the former minister with the intention of portraying him negatively.

The Supreme Court’s latest decision has brought the appeal to an end, although the outcome is likely to continue generating discussions within Ghana’s political and legal circles.

The case has once again highlighted the importance of defamation laws and the legal processes available to individuals who believe their reputations have been unfairly attacked through public statements or media publications.

GhNewHub feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com