Lawyer for Daniel Martey, Teshie Youth Chief, has written to the New Crusading GUIDE regarding a publication under the above headline.
According to the lawyer, the content of that publication is not just misleading but completely false and one-sided.
Daniel Martey through his lawyer, is asking for a retraction of the said publication.
Below is the Rejoinder from his lawyer:
REJOINDER: REQUEST FOR RETRACTION OF PUBLICATION REGARDING PREJUDICIAL PUBLICATION TITLED “TESHIE YOUTH CHIEF FINGERED IN ILLEGAL LAND GRAB AT EASTLEGON”
We act as Lawyers/Solicitors for and on behalf of DANIEL L A R E A (NII LARYEA MARTEY) of Accra.
We have our client’s instructions to say that:
- It has come to our client’s attention, a story on the front page of your 2nd April 2024 newspaper edition titled “Teshie Youth Chief fingered in illegal land grab at East Legon”
- The matters contained in your publication are not just misleading but completely false and your one-sided publication or narration rather sought to cast our client in bad light.
- It will interest you to know that the subject matter land is a subject of a pending litigation at the High Court, Accra hence the publication in question contained content that could potentially prejudice ongoing legal proceedings concerning the same matter at the High Court, Accra in SUIT NO. LD/0368/2024 intituled Tirza Tiboah & 2 Ors v Daniel Laryea (our client)
The matter being sub judice, the publication in question, by virtue of its content and timing, has the potential to undermine our client’s right to a fair trial and also contemptuous.
- As a media house, it is imperative to acknowledge that the principles of fair trial and impartiality are fundamental pillars of our legal system. The dissemination of prejudiced information contained in your publication when there is a suit pending
Right Wing, 3rd Floor, Cocoshe House, 5 Agostino Neto Close, Ga-057-0979, Opposite Silver Star Towers, Airport Residential Area, Accra.
JERRY JOHN K. ASIEDU, ESQ [0248222275] | ERNEST A. NORMENYOH, ESQ [0243557670]
3RD APRIL 2024
The High Court in respect of the subject matter land, has the potential to influence public opinion or predispose a judge’s opinion prior to final judgment being reached and this poses a significant threat to the integrity of the judicial process. As such, it is essential for media outlets like yours to exercise due diligence and responsibility in reporting on matters that are sub judice.
- For the record, our client is the lawful owner of the land in dispute having acquired same lawfully and has been subsequently issued a Land Title Certificate over same.
.7 Clearly, the said persons on whose behalf you made the publication only seek to dispossess our client of the subject matter land through means like defamatory publications such as yours.
8.In light of the foregoing, we kindly request that you retract the prejudicial and contemptuous publication from your newspaper and issue a formal retraction acknowledging the potential harm caused by the dissemination of such information within three (3) days of receipt of this letter.
- We trust that you appreciate the gravity of the situation and the importance of upholding the principles of fairness and justice. Your cooperation in this matter would not only serve the interests of my client but also uphold the integrity of the judicial process.
- While the matter is pending before the court, you are advised to cease any further publication of the matter as doing that will amount to contempt of court.
- Please respond to this correspondence at your earliest convenience to discuss how we can proceed in resolving this matter amicably. We remain open to constructive dialogue and collaboration in ensuring that the public receives accurate and impartial information regarding this case.
- Thank you.
Yours in the interest of justice,
Ernest Agbesi Normenyoh
Lawyer for Daniel Martey (Nii Laryea Martey)
0243557670
Cc: Daniel Martey (Nii Laryea Martey)
