Asenso Boakye files GHC 10 million defamation suit against Captain Smart, Media General
According to the suit filed at the High Court in Accra, the plaintiff notes that the first Defendant, Captain Smart made a false statement about him on August 23, 2022
The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso Boakye has sued the host of Onua TV morning show, Blessed Godsbrain Smart popularly called Captain Smart, and the Media General group for defamation, claiming a sum of GH 10,000,000 as damages.
According to the suit filed at the High Court in Accra, the plaintiff notes that the first Defendant, Captain Smart made a false statement about him on August 23, 2022, that while he was in office as Deputy Chief of Staff, he placed a call to the GRA to have a certain Mr. Adubofour, who had been transferred from the Authority pursuant to disciplinary proceedings instituted against him to be reinstated.
It is the plaintiff’s case that the context within which the presenter made those statements has ascribed to him the following inappropriate conduct;
That he abused his office as deputy Chief of Staff
That he interfered and obstructed investigations or disciplinary proceedings against a public servant who the first defendant had accused of stealing.
That he subscribes to such acts of stealing to the extent that he used his office to reverse lawful decisions of a state agency.
That he uses his office to shield a public servant who uses his office to engage in acts of stealing
That he is not a law-abiding citizen of Ghana
He avers that the statement by the presenter is not only false but malicious and the fact that it was given extensive coverage, has damaged his character and reputation.
Mr. Asenso Boakye is therefore seeking inter alia;
A declaration that the words complained of are defamatory of his character
An order of the court directed at the Defendants to publish an unqualified retraction and an apology to him with the same prominence the defamatory words received within 7 days after the judgment.
An order of perpetual injunction restraining Captain Smart, his agents, assigns servants, etc from making and/or publishing any defamatory words against him.
An order of perpetual injunction restraining Media General his agents assigns servants etc from making and/or publishing any defamatory words against him.
The sum of Ten Million Ghana Cedis(GHC 10,000,000) in damages for defamation.