GIS boss sues Media General, Johnnie Hughes, another for defamation, seeks GHC 20m in damages
According to the particulars of the case filed at the High Court, Accra, Johnnie Hughes is said to have claimed the plaintiff is corrupt, vindictive, and unfit to fulfill his duties as Comptroller General of the Immigration Service.
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The Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Kwame Asuah Takyi, has sued owners of TV3 Network and its presenter, Johnnie Hughes over alleged defamatory statements the presenter made on his show, Jonnies Bites, between August 24 and September 23, 2022.
According to the particulars of the case filed at the High Court, Accra, Johnnie Hughes is said to have claimed the plaintiff is corrupt, vindictive, and unfit to fulfill his duties as Comptroller General of the Immigration Service.
“Comptroller General, you were interdicted in 2013, that’s what your officers are saying, for the same visa and permit malpractices. As of 2019/2022 and since your directive came, you are bringing all those permits to you. The people are beginning to ask questions again. What are you up to? Are you doing something again?,” the suit quoted Johnnie Hughes to have said and more.
The plaintiff states that the statements have damaged his reputation and he has had to suffer distress and embarrassment hence.
He also adds in his suit that an attempt by the Public Relations team of the Ghana Immigration Service to “set the record straight was met with further vitriolic and defamatory statements about the plaintiff from the third defendant.”
He is thus seeking GHC 20 million in damages, including exemplary damages.
Other reliefs sought include;
An Order, directed at the defendant to retract and remove from their website, any records or archives relating to the alleged defamatory publication.
An order directed at the defendants to take down all search engines or links from which the said defamatory publication is accessible.
An order that the defendants retract and apologise to the plaintiff on the same medium, as the same circulation was given the show.
An order of injunction restraining the defendants, themselves, their servants, agents or otherwise from further publishing or causing to be published the said words, or any words similarly defamatory of the plaintiff.
Media General, TV3 Network, and Johnnie Hughes are named as defendants respectively.
