Man fined Ghc18,000 for defaming chief

A Kumasi High Court has asked a resident of Bonwire in the Ashanti Region, Kwame Fofie, to refrain from peddling falsehood about the Chief of Bonwire, Nana Bobie Ansah II and his family.

The court presided over by Justice A F B Apenkwa also slapped Fofie with a fine of GHc 18,000 out of which GHc 12,000 would be a compensation for defaming the plaintiff, Madam Juliana Kobbina and GHc 6000 as cost of her legal bills.

Madam Kobbina, mother of the chief prayed the court to restrain the defendant from peddling falsehood against Nana Ansah that he is not a royal and heir to the throne he is occupying.

She also wanted the court to ascertain the true parenthood of Nana Ansah as Fofie claimed that, Madam Kobina is not his biological mother.

Justice Apenkwa said Fofie has brought hatred, mistrust, ridicule among others before the citizens of Bonwire, surrounding communities and beyond.

The case was first brought before the Ejisuhene, Nana Afanie Okese for settlement and was later referred to the Manhyia Palace where the Asantehene after hearing the matter judged the defendant guilty and fined him four sheep.

The Manhyia palace proved beyond all reasonable doubt that Nana Ansah is the biological son of the plaintiff.

Justice Apenkwa said the defendant was not able to prove his case.