Court Orders Kweku Baako to Refund GH¢130,000 to Ken Agyapong, Retrial Directed

The Court of Appeal has ordered a fresh trial in the long-running defamation case between former Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong and veteran journalist Kweku Baako Jnr.

The appellate court also directed Mr Baako to refund all monies he received under the earlier High Court judgment within 30 days.

The decision overturns a June 2020 ruling by an Accra High Court, which had found in favour of Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide. In that judgment, Mr Agyapong was ordered to retract and apologise three times on the same platforms where the alleged defamatory remarks were made. He was also directed to pay GH¢100,000 in damages and GH¢30,000 in costs.

The case dates back to 2018 when Mr Baako filed a defamation suit against the then Assin Central MP over comments he made during appearances on radio programmes in Accra.

Among the statements cited in the suit were remarks allegedly made by Mr Agyapong suggesting that Mr Baako, investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, and their lawyer were “evil” and that Mr Baako could undermine the NPP government.

Court documents also referenced comments made on Adom Badwam on Adom FM on July 24, 2018, hosted by Omanhene Kwabena Asante. During the programme, Mr Agyapong was quoted as questioning Mr Baako’s loyalty and character, stating that he was “not a saint” and describing him as “a very evil man.”

In his writ, Mr Baako sought an order compelling Mr Agyapong to publish an unqualified retraction and apology on three consecutive occasions with the same prominence as the alleged defamatory statements. He also asked for GH¢25 million in damages.

Although the High Court awarded significantly lower damages in 2020, Mr Agyapong appealed the decision, raising legal concerns about the ruling.

The Court of Appeal’s latest decision nullifies the earlier judgment and resets the legal battle, with the case now expected to be reheard.

Further details are anticipated in the full written judgment.