Lawyers for Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin have rejected claims that their client is avoiding service of a defamation writ filed against Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.
The disagreement over the service of the writ follows an earlier notice from Sammy Gyamfi’s lawyers, Ayine & Partners, stating that they had his authority to receive the writ and other court documents on his behalf.
In a letter dated August 26, 2026, the lawyers asked the High Court to serve the documents through their chambers at East Legon in Accra.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday, August 29, Afenyo-Markin’s lawyers, Dehyena Chambers, said the writ was later served on Sammy Gyamfi’s lawyers but was returned to the court registry the following day.
The law firm also alleged that a court bailiff tried to personally serve Sammy Gyamfi at his office on August 27, but he refused to accept the writ and instructed security personnel to remove the bailiff.
Dehyena Chambers said this makes claims that Afenyo-Markin is avoiding service false. The lawyers explained that it is the court registry, rather than the plaintiff, that is responsible for serving the defendant.
“It must be emphasized that it is the Defendant who first authorised his lawyers to accept service of the writ which they complied only for the lawyers to return the process after service had been effected on them. Yet when personal service was attempted on the Defendant, he refused same according to the bailiff” the statement said.
The lawyers also referred to Order 7, Rule 12(2) of C.I. 47, which they said makes service valid once a lawyer who has given a written undertaking to accept service receives the writ.
Based on this, they maintain that Sammy Gyamfi has been properly served and must now file his appearance and defence in the case.
“We urge those spreading the contrary narrative to desist. The relevant correspondence and the Bailiff’s official record speak for themselves. Whatever be the situation, once his solicitors accepted the writ, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi is fixed with Knowledge of the writ against him and is required by law to file his appearance and defence to the suit before the Court” the statemnet added.
The legal dispute comes after Afenyo-Markin sued Sammy Gyamfi over comments in which the GoldBod CEO allegedly described him as an “extortionist”.
The comments were made during an ongoing public disagreement between the two over GoldBod’s operations and reported losses linked to the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
