The High Court in Accra has ruled against activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor in a defamation lawsuit filed by former National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah. The court has ordered Barker-Vormawor to pay GH₵5 million in general damages for statements the judge found to be defamatory.
In addition to the GH₵5 million award, the court also directed Barker-Vormawor to cover GH₵100,000 in legal costs in favour of Kan-Dapaah. The judgment was delivered by Justice Joseph Owusu Adu-Agyeman, who granted nearly all of the reliefs sought by the plaintiff but reduced the original compensation claim from GH₵10 million to GH₵5 million.
Lawyers representing Barker-Vormawor sought to relist their Statement of Defence and Witness Statement, which had previously been struck out, but the court dismissed the application as inconsistent with procedural rules.
The lawsuit stems from allegations made by Barker-Vormawor that Kan-Dapaah or officials in the National Security apparatus had offered him money to stop his activism. Kan-Dapaah denied these claims and argued that they were false and damaging to his reputation.
The ruling underscores the legal consequences of making unsubstantiated public allegations and highlights the role of the judiciary in resolving reputational disputes. Barker-Vormawor has indicated he may challenge the judgment in a higher court.
