A former Trade and Industry Minister, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, has appealed a High Court ruling that dismissed a defamation suit against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the governing NPP, Chairman Wontumi.
The controversial NPP stalwart had allegedly made a comment on his Wontumi TV and radio station in Kumasi ahead of the 2020 general elections, which Dr. Spio-Garbrah felt was defamatory.
The plaintiff (Dr. Spio-Garbrah) argued that the statement by the defendant (Chairman Wontumi) was defamatory and maliciously uttered without caution with the intent of causing damage and injury to his hard-earned global reputation.
The plaintiff quantified the value of his global reputation as being in excess of $10 million, hence requesting that amount as compensation.
However, during the cross-examination, the defendant insisted that he only interpreted a statement by former NDC Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini.
After days of proceedings, the court, on July 28, held that Chairman Wontumi’s words against Dr. Spio-Garbrah were not malicious.
It also stated that dismissing the case was necessary because the reliefs being sought by the plaintiff were not substantiated.
The court also awarded a cost of GH¢150,000 against Dr. Spio-Garbrah.
But the legal team for Dr. Spio-Garbrah, in their appeal filed on 1 August 2022, said the whole judgment of the trial court is against the weight of evidence.
“Take notice that the Plaintiff/Appellant (hereinafter referred to as the Appellant) herein who is dissatisfied with the judgment of the High Court, Kumasi presided over by His Lordship George Krofa Addoe dated 28 July 2022 hereby appeals for the Court of Appeal on the grounds set out in paragraph 2 of this Notice of Appeal and will at the hearing of this appeal seek the relief set out in paragraph 3 of this Notice of Appeal.”
“And the Plaintiff/Appellant further states that the name and address for service of the persons directly affected by the appeal are set out in paragraph 4 herein,” it said.