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The High Court in Accra has awarded general damages of GH₵5 million against Oliver Barker-Vormawor in favour of former National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah in a defamation case.
In addition to the damages, the court ordered Barker-Vormawor to pay costs of GH₵100,000 to Kan Dapaah.
Delivering the judgment, Justice (Rev.) Joseph Owusu Adu-Agyeman stated that all reliefs sought by the plaintiff were granted, except that the initial claim of GH₵10 million was reduced to GH₵5 million.
Before the ruling, lawyers for Barker-Vormawor, led by Baffour Gyau Bonsu Ashia, applied for the relisting of their Statement of Defence and Witness Statement, which had earlier been struck out. The court dismissed the application, describing it as inconsistent with the rules.
Background
Kan Dapaah filed the suit while serving as National Security Minister, accusing Barker-Vormawor—convener of the FixTheCountry Movement—of defamation over claims that he and other government officials had allegedly offered the activist $1 million to halt his anti-government advocacy.
The allegation was strongly denied by the then minister, who proceeded to initiate legal action.
In his suit, Kan Dapaah sought GH₵10 million in general damages, including aggravated and/or exemplary damages, for what he described as defamatory statements made by the defendant. He also requested a retraction and apology, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining Barker-Vormawor from repeating similar allegations.
The court’s ruling reduces the damages sought but grants the other reliefs in favour of the former minister.
