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The High Court has ruled in favor of Ghanaian journalist Osarfo Anthony in a lawsuit against former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan, ordering Gyan to pay GH₵1,000,000 as a result of malicious prosecution.
Osarfo Anthony had been accused of conspiring to extort money from Asamoah Gyan and his manager, Samuel Anim Addo, back in 2015. After nearly four years of legal proceedings, Osarfo was acquitted and discharged on March 20, 2019.
Following his acquittal, Osarfo filed a lawsuit against Gyan and his manager for malicious prosecution, seeking GH₵1,000,000 in general damages, legal fees, and any other costs deemed appropriate by the court.
Expressing his sentiments after the victory, Osarfo highlighted the eight-year legal battle and emphasized the importance of clearing his name and receiving compensation for the damages suffered. He stated, “It’s a pyrrhic victory, but there’s nothing nobler than facing your accuser mano-a-mano, clearing your name, and compensation ruled in your favor for damages suffered.”
The case was presided over by His Lordship Justice Dr. Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, who ruled in favor of Osarfo Anthony at Financial Court 1 of the High Court at 10:00 AM.
Represented by Yaw Dankwah, Esq. of Dankwah and Associates, Osarfo secured the ruling against Gyan and his manager, while veteran legal luminary Alexander Abredu Somuah-Asamoah, Esq., from Appiade Chambers, represented Gyan and his manager.
The case stemmed from a 2015 report in the Daily Guide newspaper alleging rape and sodomy allegations against Asamoah Gyan by one Sarah Kwabla. Osarfo, contacted by Sarah, received photos and WhatsApp chats supporting her claims, which were published on GHBase.com after seeking Gyan’s lawyer’s response.
Amidst negotiations initiated by Gyan’s camp to retract the stories, Osarfo was unknowingly reported to the police for allegedly extorting money from Gyan. This led to Osarfo’s arrest despite having received funds as an appreciation gesture, unbeknownst to him, from Gyan.
The court’s ruling signifies a culmination of a lengthy legal battle and stands as a consequential decision highlighting the complexities of media, legalities, and the pursuit of justice in Ghana’s public domain.
Source: Citinewsroom
