The Paramount Chief of Osu, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, has sued three media houses and four persons for GHC10 million for allegedly publishing libelous stories which have impugned his reputation.
According to a writ filed at the Accra High Court (General Jurisdiction Division), the media houses, Daily Graphic, the New Crusading Guide and the Ghanaian Observer between March 8 and 12, 2018 published stories which described him as a “self-styled chief” and “usurper chief” who has no capacity whatsoever.
The four individuals, who have been attached to the writ, are Nii Nortey Owuo III, Victor Okwei Nortye, Paa Solomon Quaynor and Nii Nortey Adumuah, who are said to have caused the media houses to publish the stories.
The writ claims that Nii Nortey Owuo III has been parading as the Osu Mantse although several rulings by the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court urged him to stay clear of the Osu Stool.
The writ said he been unsuccessful at overturning the verdicts.
It said Nii Nortey Adumuah has been posing as the Osiahene of Osu although the Judicial Committee of the Osu Traditional Council restrained him on April 2, 2018.
The plaintiff averred that the media houses knew that he is the right Osu Mantse but decided to publish the stories without giving him the opportunity to present his side of the story.
He claimed they had referred to him as “Osu Mantse and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs” in numerous stories.
Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI averred that the stories were “actuated by ill-motive with the sole aim of inciting the tenants of Osu, the subjects of Osu, appropriate government institutions against him.
The Osu Mantse claimed the publications in their ordinary meaning and innuendo or necessary implication are libelous, as it is understood to mean he is a “criminal, fraudulent, deceitful, dubious, dishonest, dishonourable and of a questionable character.”
“The said publications have brought the plaintiff into public scandal, odium, ridicule, insult and contempt, among his colleagues, family members, certain individuals and the general public,” the writ said.
It said the publications also have the tendency of denying Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI stool revenue, income and profits due the stool and from realising the fruits of numerous judgements he has obtained on behalf of the stool over Osu lands.
He is therefore seeking the court to order the defendants to pay him an amount GHC10 million in damages – GHC3 million for substantial damages for defamation, GHC2 million for punitive damages, GHC3 million for aggravated damages and GHC2 million for exemplary damages.
He is also seeking the court to order the defendants to retract the offending publications in the same mode and prominence as published within 14 days after judgement.
The Osu Mantse is also praying the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants herein, their agents, servants, workers or any entity authorized by them or any other persons (s) or publishers from further publishing any similar or further libelous materials about him.
graphiconline
