The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has recently initiated legal proceedings against Jonathan Owusu Asare, the Lead Editor of the Law Platform, in response to a defamatory publication.
The controversy stems from an online article dated May 7, 2024, in which Owusu Asare alleged that the Transport Minister and his wife were involved in 'land grabbing' with the assistance of state security personnel. The publication went on to claim that the Minister and his wife were due to appear in court on May 9, 2024, for unlawfully entering and trespassing on land in the Tse Addo residential enclave.
In response to these allegations, the Plaintiff asserts that the Defendant's publication has tarnished his hard-earned reputation as a public servant with numerous years of dedicated service. The Plaintiff further contends that the publication portrays him as a criminal who abuses his position of authority.
As a result, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah is seeking compensatory damages and remedial actions. Specifically, the Minister is requesting an order for the retraction of the defamatory statement from The Law Platform's online portal. Additionally, he is seeking an order for the publication of an apology in both The Law Platform and a national daily newspaper.
It is important to note that these legal actions are being pursued to safeguard the Minister's reputation and to address the serious implications of the defamatory publication. As the case unfolds, it will be crucial to uphold the principles of fairness and accuracy in reporting, while also respecting the rights of all parties involved.
The outcome of this legal dispute will undoubtedly have implications for the standards of journalistic integrity and accountability within the online publishing sphere. As such, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible and ethical reporting in today's media landscape.
-source citinewsroom | curated by Aisha Yakubu| GhanaCrimes
