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In a significant legal development, the High Court has ruled that Asamoah Gyan, the former captain of Ghana’s Black Stars, must pay GH¢1,000,000 to Ghanaian journalist Osarfo Anthony. This ruling follows a lawsuit of malicious prosecution initiated by Osarfo against Gyan.
The legal battle stemmed from a prosecution in 2015 where Osarfo was charged with conspiracy to extort money from Asamoah Gyan and his manager, Samuel Anim Addo. After nearly four years of prosecution, Osarfo was ultimately acquitted and discharged on March 20, 2019.
Subsequently, Osarfo took legal action against the former Black Stars captain and his manager for malicious prosecution. Osarfo sought a cost of one million Ghana cedis, encompassing general damages, legal fees, and other expenses deemed appropriate by the court.
After a protracted legal process, Osarfo emerged victorious in the lawsuit on Friday, November 8. Expressing his sentiments to the media following the court’s decision, Osarfo stated, “I just won my GH¢1m malicious prosecution suit against former Ghana Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, and his manager. It has been a gutsy-8-year criminal and civil legal battle. Time vindicates me, so here I am.”
He further remarked, “It’s a pyrrhic victory, but there’s nothing nobler than facing your accuser mano-a-mano, clearing your name, and compensation ruled in your favour for damages suffered.”
The civil case was presided over by His Lordship Justice Dr. Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, who ruled on the matter at Financial Court 1 of the High Court. Osarfo was represented by legal counsel Yaw Dankwah, Esq. of Dankwah and Associates (Divine Chambers), while Gyan and his manager were represented by Alexander Abredu Somuah-Asamoah, Esq. from Appiade Chambers.
The legal saga originated in 2015 when a newspaper broke a story alleging rape and sodomy accusations against Asamoah Gyan by Sarah Kwabla. Osarfo, contacted by Sarah, published a series of stories including Gyan’s side, leading to pressure from Gyan’s camp. Subsequently, Osarfo was reported to the police, accused of attempting to extort money from Gyan, culminating in his criminal prosecution.
Osarfo’s defense counsel during the criminal trial included Maurice Ampaw and Lamtiig Apanga.
This landmark ruling not only vindicates Osarfo but raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the earlier accusations and the subsequent legal proceedings against the journalist.
