The legal team representing the Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, has issued a formal letter of complaint to TV3, requesting a retraction and apology following defamatory statements made by security analyst Dr. Adam Bonaa.
The remarks, made during a roundtable discussion on a recent TV3 program, have sparked controversy and legal concerns.
Dr. Bonaa, a panelist on the show, made several claims regarding COP Addo-Danquah’s involvement in the Takoradi missing girls case, insinuating that she and the EOCO were either incompetent or corrupt in handling the investigation.
He further accused her of colluding with criminal gangs, including the so-called “Sakawa boys,” suggesting that these groups engaged in illegal financial transactions with the complicity of EOCO officials under her leadership.
According to the letter from Ahmed Legal Consult, the law firm representing COP Addo-Danquah, Dr Bonaa’s statements were not only false but deeply damaging to her reputation, calling into question her professional integrity and the integrity of EOCO.
The legal team argues that such statements meet the legal definition of defamation, as they can potentially lower COP Addo-Danquah’s standing in the eyes of the public and cause lasting harm to her career as a public servant.
In the letter addressed to TV3’s editorial team, the lawyers highlight that the Takoradi missing girls case was thoroughly investigated under COP Addo-Danquah’s previous tenure as Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), leading to the conviction and death sentence of two individuals in 2021.
They describe Dr Bonaa’s remarks as an attempt to undermine the credibility of both the EOCO and COP Addo-Danquah, who has built a reputation for effective leadership in combating organized crime.
The legal team also raised concerns over TV3’s role in airing these defamatory statements, stressing that the media outlet could be held accountable for disseminating false and harmful content without adequate verification.
The lawyers pointed to previous legal cases where media organizations were found liable for publishing defamatory material without proper due diligence.
As part of their demand, the legal team has requested that TV3 issue a public retraction and apology, acknowledging the defamatory nature of Dr. Bonaa’s comments.
They also warned that if the matter is not resolved swiftly and satisfactorily, they would consider pursuing legal action to protect COP Addo-Danquah’s reputation.
COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, who has held prominent positions in the police force and EOCO, has long been known for her efforts to combat organized crime, including internet fraud, human trafficking, and corruption.
The defamation accusations come at a time when her office is focused on tackling growing issues of cybercrime and corruption in Ghana.
TV3 has yet to respond publicly to the letter.