The Editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper has brought a defamation suit against maverick Kennedy Agyepong, over claims the newspaper editor is corrupt.
Malik Kweku Baako Jnr. is demanding damages of ¢25 million from the lawmaker as part of the fallout in the investigative piece on Ghana Football titled “Number 12; when corruption and greed become the norm.”
Even though the investigation was largely about corruption in football, Agyepong’s name was mentioned in a secret video recording in which the ex-president of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, was seen transacting business with a Dubai-based businessman who unknown to him (Nyantakyi), was an undercover journalist.
In that video, Nyantakyi described the Kennedy Agyepong as a powerful force in the NPP who must be settled by the businessman, he Nyantakyi was trying to convince to sponsor the premier league and also invest in Ghana’s economy.
In a failed attempt at stopping the airing of the video, the Assin Central MP made allegations which Mr Baako has described as defamatory.
One of those allegations on Net2 TV, a station owned by the maverick politician, was quoted in the writ filed by Baako as follows;
“Look I have dared Kweku Baako. He is a very, very corrupt guy. Where is his paper? Kweku Baako is very corrupt,…Kweku Baako is very, very corrupt in his paper. Kweku Baako. Have you seen his interest? Have you seen it? He is always making a lot of noise.
Agyepong made several other allegations against Mr Baako who has decided to clear his name.
It will be the second suit against Kennedy Agyepong after Anas Aremeyaw Anas also of the Crusading Guide Newspaper sued Agyepong for similar damages.
Apart from the damages, Baako is asking the court to restrain Agyepong from making further defamatory comments about him. He is also asking for exemplary damages against the defendant.