A High Court in Accra has dismissed a case brought by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, who is also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, against Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Member of Parliament for North Tongu.
Rev. Kusi Boateng, who is a secretary and board member of the National Cathedral project, had sought to stop Ablakwa from making further publications about his alleged involvement in conflict of interest and criminality.
However, the court ruled that Ablakwa had uncovered two distinct and separate identities used by Rev. Kusi Boateng in a manner that was not transparent and bordered on criminality.
The court also awarded a cost of GH¢10,000 against Rev. Kusi Boateng, who had earlier lost another case against Ablakwa for contempt of court.
Ablakwa celebrated the ruling on his Facebook page, dedicating it to the masses who supported him in his quest for transparent and accountable governance.
He also thanked his legal team and said he was ready for the third and final case of defamation filed by Rev. Kusi Boateng.
How did he do it?
According to the summary of the judgment, Ablakwa had conducted investigations and published documents that showed that Rev. Kusi Boateng had used two different names and identities in various transactions and dealings.
For instance, he had registered a company called Power Chapel Worldwide Limited as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, but used Victor Kusi Boateng as his name in other official documents.
He had also acquired properties and bank accounts under both names, without any evidence of change of name or alias.
The court said that this was not a simple case of using two different names, but rather two independent and totally separate identities to conceal his dealings in a manner that was not obvious.
The court rejected Rev. Kusi Boateng’s argument that using two names was not a crime under Ghanaian laws, saying that it was a pattern of duplicity that depicted a lack of transparency and this conduct bordered on criminality.
What does this mean for the National Cathedral?
The National Cathedral project is a controversial initiative by the government to build a multi-faith worship centre in Accra.
It has faced criticism from some sections of the public who question its necessity, cost and location.
Rev. Kusi Boateng is one of the key figures behind the project, as he is a secretary and board member of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.
His exposure as having a double identity raises questions about his credibility and integrity, as well as the transparency and accountability of the project.
It also casts doubt on his role and influence in the project, as well as his relationship with other stakeholders and donors.