An Accra High Court has awarded a cost of GH¢5,000 against Onua FM and Onua TV host Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, for failing to file a defense within time in the defamation suit instituted against him by the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
On Friday, June 2, 2023, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta filed a suit at the High Court in Accra and demanded a sum of Ten million Ghana cedis (GH¢10,000,000.00) as general damages including aggravated and/or exemplary damages for defamation by the defendant, Captain Smart.
The Finance Minister also demanded an apology for and retraction of the words complained of and particularized supra”.
Captain Smart during one of his shows alleged that Mr. Ofori-Atta has taken a 10% share out of the International Money Fund’s $3 billion bailout for Ghana.
“Are you aware that Ken Ofori Atta has taken his 10% of the IMF money?”, “Every loan we take he takes 10%”, were the words Captain Smart is alleged to have used against Mr Ofori-Atta on May 22, 2023, on his show.
Mr. Ofori-Atta in the suit indicated that the words uttered by Captain Smart, are defamatory and hence sought a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant whether by himself, his servants, agents or assigns from repeating similar or other defamatory words against him.
On Thursday, July 27, 2023, lawyers for Ofori-Atta presented their application in court for judgment in default of defense.
However, they were informed by the court that Captain Smart’s defense counsel had submitted their statement of defense as of 8:54 AM on July 27, 2023.
In response, Ofori-Atta’s attorneys retracted their application for judgment in default of defense and requested reimbursement for their fees.
The court then imposed a cost of GH¢ 5,000 against the defendant and asked that the GH¢10 million defamation suit proceed accordingly.
