In an interesting twist of events, the Paramount Chief of the Anfoega Traditional Area, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, sues pro-National Democratic Congress Class Media Group and other journalists for defamation.
The writ of summons was filed by his lawyer, Evans Gadeto Dzikunu, at the Accra High Court on May 26, 2025, with suit number GJ/0816/2025, outlining 15 statements of claim against the defendants, categorized into two - Particulars of Defamation and Particulars of Malice.
Under the particulars of defamation, the plaintiff asserts three main issues: Firstly, the story portrays him as someone oblivious of Ghana's laws, contrary to his training and professional experience as a lawyer. Secondly, the news headline or story portrays the plaintiff as a cheif engaged in partisan politics, contrary to the law. Thirdly, the news headline or story portrays Togbe Tepre Hodo IV as someone discriminatory towards the NDC party or hateful towards it.
Arising from the above, the plaintiff avers that the Defendants (Class Media Group and other journalists) published the said scurrilous story concerning the chief to the reading public, both local and international, at all material times when they knew the said story was false.
Regarding the particulars of malice, the plaintiff noted that the defendants, with malicious intent, never bothered to cross-check their facts with the plaintiff before proceeding to publish scurrilous matter, contrary to the tenets of responsible and professional journalism.
Consequently, the plaintiff avers that the 2nd defendant, having offered its medium or platform to the 1st defendant to publish the said defamatory story about him, is equally liable for defamation, arguing that the 1st defendant could not have defamed him without the online website, Classfmonline.com.
Accordingly, the plaintiff claims the 2nd defendant (Class Media Group) is equally liable for payment of punitive and exemplary damages for defamation, to serve as a deterrent to media organizations that use their platforms for such irresponsible broadcasting and journalism.
Stemming from the aforementioned reasons and others, the plaintiff is seeking the following declarations from the court:
A. That the story published by the defendants on 3rd April, 2025 about him is defamatory.
B. An order for punitive and general damages against defendants for defamation.
C. A further order compelling the defendants to retract the said story, and apologise to the plaintiff through the same medium.
D. An order directed at the defendants to permanently remove and delete any traces of the said defamatory publication from the websites, and other platforms operated and managed by them.
E. A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, either by themselves, their servants or agents or otherwise, from publishing those words or story of or concerning the plaintiff or causing to be published the said words or story or any story similarly defamatory to the plaintiff, and
F. Punitive costs inclusive of solicitor's fees.
The die is cast and the coming weeks will witness a legal battle between Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, Paramount Chief of Anfoega Traditional Area, against Class Media Group and others.
