Mireku Duker Sues Dompim Pepesa Chief And 2 Media Networks For Defamation

A deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker has sued the “self-styled” chief of Dompim Pepesa, Nana Nyonwah Panyin IV and two Broadcast networks for defamation.

The suit follows the publications of an interview with Nana Nyonwah Panyin IV, last week in which he alleged that three officials of the government including Mireku Duker were involved in illegal mining in his community.

The sued media networks are Multimedia Group and Class Media Group.

In an interview with JoyNews, a subsidiary of the Multimedia Group, the chief is quoted to have said, “I know not of any company but I know of the very people who are behind the operations of ‘galamsey’ in my area. First and foremost the Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah is involved. The MP for the area, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Honorable George Mireku-Duker is also involved and the MCE, Benjamin Kessie is also involved. I have told you I am not going to disclose my arsenals to you.”

He is reported to have repeated the allegation in an interview on Accra FM, a subsidiary of the Class Media Group, that same week.

But the Deputy Minister says the allegation is “false and reckless”.

In a writ, the lawyers of the plaintiff said the two media organisations gave their platforms to the chief to propagate the “lies” and also failed to provide their clients with the same avenue to respond to the allegations.

The plaintiff among other things is seeking a declaration of the publication as defamatory; Ghc10 million in damages against the defendants; an apology; and an injunction to restrain the defendants and their agents from further making such allegations against him.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini