Ibrahim Mahama goes after Owusu Bempah for GH¢300,000 award

Lawyers of businessman, Ibrahim Mahama, who won a defamation case against Communications Director of the Ghana National Gas Company, Ernest Owusu Bempah and the Despite Group, are getting ready to get the GH¢300,000 awarded him.

The court presided by Justice Georgina Mensah Datsa (High Court, Accra) granted all the reliefs, except the cost of GH¢2 million which the Judge awarded GH¢300,000.

The Herald is informed by sources close to Mr Mahama that his lawyers are leaving no stone unturned in getting the money to serve as a deterrent to the loud political activists and others like him, who go about damaging the hard-earned reputation of people.

Aside the money, Ernest Owusu Bempah and the Despite Group, were directed to publish a retraction and apology in the Daily Graphic and on the same platform, those defamatory words, which were used against the plaintiff was published.

They have also been directed to remove the said defamatory material about the plaintiff from all archives.

The Judge also warned communicators who go on media platforms to malign innocent people to desist from such acts, because that would not be tolerated.

“Ernest Owusu Bempah by publishing those words directed at the person of Ibrahim Mahama, he has defamed him. I shall proceed to grant judgment in favour of the Plaintiff, Ibrahim Mahama. As we move towards next year’s election, we need to be guided,” Justice Georgina Datsa said.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Engineers and Planners (E&P), Ibrahim Mahama, last year sued the Communications Director of the Ghana National Gas Company, Ernest Owusu Bempah, along with the Despite Group of Companies – owners of private TV station UTV last year for defamation.

Mr Mahama was represented in court throughout the proceedings by his Aide Rafik Mahama.

The judge cited his absence as a reason for not awarding the full amount of GH¢2 million against the defendants, but she concluded by saying she understands the busy schedule of the plaintiff, hence his absence in court.

The legal team of Mr Mahama was led by Lawyer Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah and supported by Gloria Amoah and Makafui Dzimabi.