Samson Lardy Anyenini’s Defamation Lawsuit: A Deep Dive into the Allegations and Legal Proceedings
Samson Lardy Anyenini, a prominent Ghanaian lawyer and journalist, has initiated legal action against Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for defamation. The lawsuit stems from comments made by Abronye during a broadcast on Wontumi Multimedia’s radio and television platforms on April 7, 2025. Abronye accused Anyenini of corruption and accepting bribes to discredit a Member of Parliament. These accusations, vehemently denied by Anyenini, are at the heart of the defamation suit filed at the Kumasi High Court on April 23, 2025. The lawsuit not only targets Abronye but also includes Wontumi Multimedia, the host of the program, and Superweb Technologies, the publishers of Ghanaweb, for their role in disseminating the allegedly defamatory statements.
The core of Anyenini’s claim revolves around the gravity of the accusations leveled against him. He argues that being labeled "corrupt" and a "liar" strikes at the very foundation of his professional integrity and reputation, built over years of dedicated work in law and journalism. The suit highlights the malicious intent behind Abronye’s statements, alleging they were made without any factual basis and designed to inflict maximum damage on his hard-earned reputation. This deliberate and unfounded attack, Anyenini contends, warrants substantial damages and a public retraction to mitigate the harm caused.
The legal action against Wontumi Multimedia and the program’s host, Kweku Kyeremanteng Nkansah, centers on their alleged complicity in the dissemination of the defamatory remarks. Anyenini’s claim argues that Nkansah not only allowed the defamatory statements to be aired but actively encouraged Abronye, contributing to the spread of the false accusations. The suit criticizes the lack of journalistic ethics displayed by the host, who failed to intervene, disclaim, or demand a retraction and apology from Abronye, as would be expected in responsible broadcasting. This inaction, according to the claim, constitutes a breach of journalistic standards and contributes to the overall harm inflicted.
The lawsuit against Superweb Technologies, the publishers of Ghanaweb, focuses on their republication of the defamatory comments. Anyenini alleges that Ghanaweb, by republishing the content from Wontumi Multimedia’s platform on April 8, 2025, further amplified the reach of the false accusations and exacerbated the damage to his reputation. The suit criticizes Ghanaweb for its alleged recklessness in failing to verify the accuracy of the information before publishing it, contributing to the wider spread of the defamatory content. This act of republication, Anyenini argues, constitutes a separate instance of defamation and warrants significant damages.
In seeking redress for the alleged defamation, Anyenini is pursuing a combined GH¢20 million in general and punitive damages from Abronye, Wontumi Multimedia, and Nkansah. Against Superweb Technologies, he seeks GH¢10 million in damages. These substantial sums reflect the severity of the alleged harm to his reputation and the need to deter such reckless and malicious behavior in the future. Beyond monetary compensation, Anyenini is seeking a court declaration confirming the defamatory nature of the publications and the damage they inflicted on his reputation.
Further to the financial compensation and the declaratory relief, Anyenini is demanding an unconditional retraction and unqualified apology from all defendants. He requests the complete removal of the defamatory broadcast from the internet, including all online platforms and social media accounts operated by the defendants. Additionally, he demands that the retraction and apology be published in the widely circulated Daily Graphic newspaper to ensure maximum reach and counter the impact of the defamatory statements. This multifaceted approach seeks to restore his damaged reputation and provide a clear public record of the falsehood of the accusations made against him.
