Napo sues Sammy Gyamfi for GH¢1M …Over Defamation

By Justice Dzido On Jun 28, 2019

MINISTER OF Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has hauled Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to court for defaming him.

The minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South Constituency, is seeking, among other reliefs, one million Ghana Cedis compensation.

Gyamfi has eight days after service of the writ, inclusive of the day of service, to cause an appearance to be entered for him, or in default the court would give judgement in his absence.

Lawyers for the Education Minister, aka ‘Napo’, Sarkodie Baffuor Awuah and Partners, in a writ, dated June 25, 2019, said Sammy Gyamfi intentionally dented the minister’s image with palpable lies.

The writ said Napo had nothing to do with Seidu aka ‘MBA’, the alleged ringleader of the suspects in the recent kidnapping of the two Canadian girls in Kumasi, yet Sammy Gyamfi lied that Seidu was an errand boy of their client.

According to the lawyers, the false statement had hurt the reputation of the plaintiff, who had over the years worked hard to earn a positive image across the globe.

They also said Gyamfi’s false allegation had given their client a negative tag, as if he (Napo) supported illegal activities, adding that the feelings of their client had been deeply hurt.

According to them, the false statement, which was broadcasted wide in the media, had tarnished Napo’s positive image not only in Ghana, but in the world at large.

They therefore prayed the court to restrain Sammy Gyamfi from publishing or broadcasting such false and defamatory statements about their client again in future.

They also urged the court to order Sammy Gyamfi to apologize and retract the false statement by giving it the same prominence as the defamatory statement, within seven days after judgement.

Again, the lawyers want the court to fine the NDC communication officer one million Ghana Cedis for peddling falsehood to tarnishing the image of a noble man like Napo.