Defamation case: Serve Ablakwa properly with contempt processes – Court tells Rev Kusi Boateng

An Accra High Court has ordered lawyers for the National Cathedral Board Secretary, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng to use the appropriate approach in serving their writ to legislator, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

The court believes the proper process was not employed in the clergyman’s attempt to seek legal action against the Member of Parliament.

In court today, Mr Okudzeto filed a response to the contempt application claiming that even though he has not been served, he saw a copy on social media and he has responded to that.

Mr Okudzeto’s counsel suggested that the hearing is adjourned, a move that was opposed by lawyer for the respondent who argued that his client wants to waive personal service of the court application.

The judge directed that the plaintiffs properly serve the North Tongu MP through the Speaker of Parliament, in order for the process to commence.

According to court correspondent Joseph Ackah-Blay, the plaintiff’s lawyers said efforts were made to that effect but were declined by some officials at Parliament.

Meanwhile, scores of people who say they are constituents of North Tongu MP massed up at the court complex.

The group insisted that they will not look for what they describe as an attempt to gag and intimidate Mr Ablakwa plays out.

According to them, there are attempts to use the judiciary to settle political scores and prevent their MP from performing his whistle-blowing and anti-corruption duties.

One of the lawyers for Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor believes that the judge’s assertion leaves the contempt application rejected.

Substantially, the allegations relate to the alleged transfer of state funds meant for the construction of the National Cathedral into a supposed bank account of a company said to be owned by Rev Kusi Boateng.

But according to Rev Kusi Boateng, although the claims are misleading, it has enjoyed wide readership, garnering 581 reactions, 135 comments and 126 shares as of January 25, 2023.

The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was also represented at the court by General Secretary Fifi Kwetey, Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, and Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah among others in solidarity with the MP.