Gabby Grabs A Million

An Accra High Court has slapped Freelance Journalist and Social media sensation, Kelvin Taylor with GH¢1 million damages for defamatory comments he made against Senior Legal Practitioner, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko.

The court presided over by Jennifer Abena Dadzie held that the journalist must pay the amount for damages caused by his defamatory comments about the terminated Power Distribution Service (PDS) deal.

The Court in its judgment yesterday argued that Mr Taylor had no basis, whatsoever to make the very serious defamatory comments against Mr. Otchere-Darko who is also a Senior Partner of Accra-based Corporate Law firm, Africa Legal Associates (ALA).

The trial judge however, said the full judgment on the matter will be made available on Tuesday, 3 November 2020.

The plaintiff, Otchere-Darko dragged Kelvin Taylor to court following his comments over the PDS deal which was a 20-year concession agreement between PDS and the government.

Under the agreement PDS was expected to improve the country’s power distribution.

The deal was, however, terminated for what government communication described as fundamental and material breaches of PDS’ obligation in the provision of payment securities (demand guarantees).

But commenting on the controversial deal in one of his social media broadcasts titled “With All Due Respect”, the US-based journalist alleged that Mr. Otchere-Darko had financially benefited from the contract since he rendered legal consultancy on the transaction.

Mr. Taylor also alleged that Mr. Otchere-Darko bought a property in Mayfair, London (United Kingdom) with proceeds from the PDS deal.

Mr. Otchere-Darko aggrieved by the falsehood and its effect on his reputation, dashed to court suing the freelancer in October last year, leading to the judgment in his favour.

No Show

During the hearing, Mr. Taylor neither entered appearance nor filed a statement of defence to substantiate the allegations.

This was notwithstanding on March 16, 2020, the court varied the order of service it issued following what Mr. Otchere-Darko’s lawyers said were difficulties in serving the defendant with the suit.

The order was for Mr. Taylor to be served via his advertised Facebook wall and WhatsApp number.