Convener of Citizen Eye Ghana, a non-governmental organization, Alex Kwaku Tetteh, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Hopeson Kofivi Adorye, the Operations Director of Movement for Change, a political organization.
Tetteh is seeking GH₵1 million in damages, as well as a retraction and apology from Adorye over statements made during a media appearance.
According to the lawsuit, Tetteh claims that Adorye made defamatory comments about him during a call-in segment on the morning show “Ade Akye Abia” on Okay FM, an Accra-based radio station, on May 7, 2024.
During the broadcast, Adorye allegedly said, “…When he (referring to the plaintiff) drinks Akpeteshie (a local gin) and smokes ‘wee’ in addition, he speaks total rubbish as if he speaks from his anus…”
Tetteh asserts that these comments were intended to portray him as a drug addict, criminal, unintelligent, and alcoholic. He argues that the statements have caused serious harm to his reputation, bringing him into public scandal, disrepute, odium, and contempt.
In addition to the financial damages, Tetteh is demanding a retraction and public apology from Adorye. He insists that the retraction and apology must be given prominent airtime on Okay FM and be published on the radio station’s website and social media platforms.
Furthermore, he requires that the retraction and apology be published on the front or back page of the Daily Graphic newspaper for three consecutive days.
Tetteh highlights that the defamatory statements were not only broadcast live but also streamed on various social media channels associated with Okay FM, giving the issue extensive publicity.
He fears that unless the court intervenes, Adorye may continue to make similar defamatory statements about him.
As a result, Tetteh is seeking exemplary damages and a perpetual injunction to prevent Adorye or his agents from further publishing or distributing the defamatory comments.