An Accra High Court has dismissed an application by lawyers for Assin Central Parliamentarian, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, to halt the defamation trial before it.
Lawyers for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP filed an appeal challenging a decision of the judge to sustain an objection raised by lawyers for investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas during cross examination of his [Anas’] lawyers.
Lawyers for Mr. Agyapong asked Anas’ lawful attorney to mention the number of people in the ‘Who watches the watchman’ documentary video produced by Mr. Agyapong.
But, lawyers for Anas raised an objection on grounds that the question is irrelevant and unfair for a person to mention how many people are in a video from memory, more especially, when he was not the one who produced the documentary.
The judge agreed with the objection and asked lawyers for Kennedy Agyapong to ask another question. But lawyers for Mr. Agyapong said they cannot ask any other question unless Anas’ lawful attorney answers that question.
Following that, they filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal and also filed an application for stay of proceedings.
But, the Court at the hearing on Friday, July 21, 2020, dismissed the application on grounds that Mr. Agyapong and his lawyers failed to raise any exceptional circumstances under which the trial should be stayed.
The judge ordered them to continue with their cross examination.
The court further awarded a cost of GH¢1,500 against Kennedy Agyapong. The case has been adjourned to the October 30, 2020.
