The Commercial Court 10 Division of the High Court has ordered journalist and social commentator Kevin Taylor to pay one million Ghana Cedis(GHC 1 million ) to Senior Partner of Corporate Law firm, Africa Legal Associates (ALA), Gabby Otchere-Darko for making defamatory comments against him.
The court presided over by Jennifer Abena Dadzie ruled that the journalist has defamed the cousin of President Akufo-Addo with his comments regarding Mr Asare Otchere-Darko’s involvement in the Power Distribution Services(PDS) deal.
Last year, Mr Taylor claimed that Mr. Otchere-Darko was a beneficiary of the botched deal with Ghana by acting as legal counsel or providing legal services for PDS and had used procceeds from his services to the company to acquire property in the UK.
Mr Otchere-Darko, who refuted the claims, sued Mr Taylor for spewing blatant falsehood against him. Mr Taylor who is based in the US had to be served through social media following difficulties with serving him physically.
The Court today, Tuesday October 27, 2020 ruled that that Mr Taylor’s comments were defamatory and he ought to pay the amount to the aggrieved party, Mr Otchere-Darko.
Mr Taylor, a vociferous critic of the governing New Patriotic Party(NPP) and its members, especially those deemed powerful, is yet to comment on the judgement.
Social media is however agog with discussions on the judgement.
