Eric Osei Mensah, Counsel for the Peoples National Convention (PNC) treasurer has asked an Accra Fast Track High Court to strike out a defamation suit brought against his client by Hassan Ayariga.
He argued in court on Monday March 24, 2014 that the PNC 2012 Presidential candidate’s lawsuit lacked merit because he failed to provide sufficient evidence indicating that Mr. David Apasera defamed him in a media publication that he Hassan Ayariga embezzled 1.6 million cedis meant for the party’s 2012 campaigns.
According to Mr. Eric Osei Mensah, the rules in defamation application require that a complainant should provide sufficient particulars of the exact words in the media which are deemed defamatory.
Again, he said Mr. David Apasera was not served any affidavit in opposition to his response regarding Mr. Hassan Ayariga’s lawsuit.
He therefore described Mr. Hassan Ayariga’s lawsuit as one which lacked merit and pleaded with the court to dismiss the case.
But Mr. Chris Ackumey, lawyer for Hassan Ayariga disagreed with this submission and said his client met all the requirements of defamation.
He made reference to Order 57 rule 2 of CI 47 to buttress his point.
He also cited paragraph 9 of his client’s writ to justify his statement that Mr. Hassan Ayariga satisfied all the rules of defamation.
The presiding judge, His Lordship Justice Ofori Atta adjourned the case to April 4.
By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana