Former Inspector General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu has filed a lawsuit against Justice Kwaku Annan of Net 2 Television for defamation.
The suit filed by his lawyer; NkumAsmah states that, Mr. Annan who hosts a popular show; ‘The Seat’ on the Accra-based Television station, through his medium, made allegations against the IGP which have, among other things, brought his name and reputation into disrepute.
Portions of the suit state that the defendant (Justice Annan), had claimed the IGP was and is a fence for notorious criminals both in Ghana and Nigeria, that he harbours criminals, and that he (the IGP) is a criminal who has been working in cahoots with hardened international criminals to unleash terror on Ghanaians.
It also stated that some pronouncements made on his platform in June this year suggested that the plaintiff (Mr. Apeatu) is or was on the payroll of top criminals in Ghana and refused to, in his capacity as IGP, cause the arrest and prosecution of these criminals.
The plaintiff claims by this suit, that the words uttered by Mr. Annan during his show were published despite his knowledge that they were false and having considered the benefits of popularity and increased viewership its circulation will bring to his platform; Net 2 Television.
The Plaintiff in his Statement of Claim quoted the Defendant (Justice Kwaku Annan) as saying on Net 2 Television that, “Former I.G.P
Mr. David Apeatu’s administration you know these men whose names I am about to mention. Mr. Apeatu former I.G.P I say that you know these notorious armed robbers whose names I am about to mention. You know them. What did he do? What did you do? And these armed robbers still hide in the confines of our Republic. Now, Ghana Police tell me you do not know that every weekend when you go to some places in Kwabenya these Nigerians are there very late at night from 12 am you find these guys having a competition in Mercedes Benz. Mercedes Benz that sometime ago buying it wasn’t an easy, these guys are there having competition on it…”
Meanwhile, the Plaintiff stated that his reputation has been egregiously damaged and he has suffered debilitating distress and embarrassment. Further, he has been inundated with numerous calls from professional associates, journalists, social relations and friends and outright strangers, and he has had to answer very mortifying questions.
He noted that the Defendant published the words complained of knowing they were false, or recklessly as to their truth or falsity having calculated that the benefit to the Defendant in his vocation as a TV presenter by way of popularity and increased viewership-base and following as a result of the sensational publication would outweigh any compensation payable to the plaintiff.
He described the words as malicious and is therefore asking that the court charges the defendant for General damages for libel contained in Mr. Justice’ speech and Aggravated damages arising from the libel published by same, as well as costs including the lawyer’s fees.
