Kpebu urges Afenyo-Markin to drop appeal in Sammy Gyamfi defamation case

Afenyo-Markin files defamation suits against Gyamfi, Adjei

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Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has filed new defamation suits in the Accra High Court against Ghana Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi and NEIP Chief Executive Eric Adjei, following the dismissal and withdrawal of his earlier legal actions over alleged extortion claims tied to a Bank of Ghana gold purchase programme.

Alexander Afenyo-Markin Refiles Defamation Suits Against Sammy Gyamfi and Eric Adjei

The legal battles between Ghana’s political figures have shifted back to the Accra High Court following a series of procedural setbacks and out-of-court engagements. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin initiated fresh defamation actions against Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi and National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) Chief Executive Eric Adjei after his initial lawsuits were either thrown out by a judge or discontinued by mutual agreement.

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The underlying dispute traces back to public exchanges over reported losses of US$1.7 billion—or $1.9 billion in subsequent political discussions—associated with the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme. After Mr. Afenyo-Markin raised concerns about the gold scheme, Mr. Gyamfi appeared as a panellist on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on August 22, 2026, where he labelled the Minority Leader an extortionist. Mr. Adjei later repeated similar allegations on Peace FM, prompting the separate defamation complaints.

High Court Dismisses Initial GH¢15 Million Claim Over Defective Writ

The renewed litigation follows an October 14, 2026 ruling by the Accra High Court, which dismissed Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s GH¢15 million defamation suit against Mr. Gyamfi. Presiding over the General Jurisdiction 1 Division, Justice Agyenim Boateng held that the plaintiff failed to endorse the writ of summons with sufficient particulars of the alleged defamatory publication as mandated by Order 57 Rule 2 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47).

Afenyo-Markin sues Sammy Gyamfi, Eric Adjei, Joy Fm and Peace FM over extortion allegations.

Lawyers for Mr. Gyamfi entered a conditional appearance and successfully argued that the omission rendered the action defective. The court declined to let particulars in the statement of claim cure the initial writ’s defect, distinguishing the case from past precedents because the defence had immediately challenged the process.

Although we disagree with the High Court’s earlier decision setting aside our client’s previous writ, this new writ has been issued against the Defendants in accordance with the Court’s latest Interpretation of the rules.

Following that setback, counsel filed a fresh writ, numbered GJ/0045/2027, at the Accra High Court on October 15, 2026.

Achimota Circuit Court Discontinuance and Amicable Settlement Discussions

In parallel, Mr. Afenyo-Markin pursued a GH¢2 million defamation suit against NEIP CEO Eric Adjei at the Achimota Circuit Court, filed on August 28, 2026. At a hearing on October 20, 2026, the plaintiff’s legal team formally withdrew the case following discussions between the parties.

Afenyo-Markin files defamation suits against Gyamfi, Adjei
Photo: Modernghana

Defence counsel Gideon Koku Abotsi explained to journalists that the withdrawal followed an appeal by a High Court judge for the parties to resolve their differences outside the courtroom. Although the circuit court struck out the original writ as withdrawn, Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s camp immediately filed a new action, numbered GJ/0061/2027, at the Accra High Court concerning the statements made on Peace FM.

Legal analysts have also urged caution outside the courtroom. Seasoned legal practitioner Martin Luther Kpebu publicly called on senior public figures to broker peace between the opposing figures, warning that prolonged legal battles risk straining democratic norms.

I would have wished that Afenyo-Markin and his lawyers didn’t go on the appeal. They should let sleeping dogs lie. But if they’ve chosen to go, all is not lost.

Despite calls for mediation and ongoing settlement conversations monitored by legal representatives, the new high court filings ensure that the substantive defamation claims against both defendants will proceed under updated procedural frameworks.

Minority Leader, Afenyo-Markin sues Sammy Gyamfi,multimedia group ltd,Eric Adjei and Peace FM

Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers noted that his client’s legal team maintained instructions to pursue the litigation to its final conclusion. Meanwhile, the legal team representing the GoldBod chief executive maintained that their client had no professional ties to businessman Dominic Bonsu, whose company licence faced suspension alongside court remand actions.

Seth Nyaaba appeared in court representing the first defendant during the preliminary circuit court proceedings. Outside the courtroom, Gideon Koku Abotsi emphasized that ongoing dialogue between the opposing camps aimed to resolve all lingering questions regarding reputation and accountability.

The initial legal filings had sought comprehensive remedies, including general damages for libel, aggravated and exemplary awards, financial compensation, and an explicit public apology. The plaintiff also asked that any retractions be shared on electronic and social media networks with the same level of prominence as the original broadcasts.

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