GhArticles.com Every News in Detail
A High Court in Accra has dismissed an injunction application filed by the National Service Authority (NSA) aimed at preventing The Fourth Estate, the investigative arm of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), from publishing a corruption-related report.
The NSA’s legal team, represented by Sam Okudzeto and Associates, withdrew the case on Thursday, December 19, 2024, before MFWA’s lawyers, led by Samson Anyenini, could mount their defense. The court subsequently struck out the case and fined the NSA GH₵6,000, prohibiting any future attempts to refile the case.
On December 2, 2024, the NSA secured a 10-day ex-parte injunction to halt The Fourth Estate’s investigative publication. The injunction was based on an affidavit by Angela Ohene-Boateng, NSA’s Head of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation, and legal arguments by Dominic Brenya Otchere from Sam Okudzeto and Associates.
Upon the injunction’s expiration on December 12, the NSA sought a further injunction, claiming the publication would cause “irreparable harm” and tarnish its reputation. However, the court rejected the arguments, allowing the investigative report to proceed as planned.
Before the court action, The Fourth Estate had extended an opportunity to the NSA’s leadership to respond to the allegations, including sending an official letter requesting an interview. Despite these efforts, the NSA proceeded to seek legal action.
The dismissal of the case clears the way for The Fourth Estate to publish its investigative findings.
