Hopeson Yaovi Adorye, the Operation Director of Alan Kyerematen’s Movement For Change, has filed a statement of defence in response to a lawsuit brought by the Akyem Abuakwa State Secretary, Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta,
Hopeson Adorye denies all the statement of claims filed by the Plaintiff, specifically stating that he did not defame the Okyenhene.
The lawsuit stated that Hopeson Adorye made defamatory statements about the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, in relation to the AGYAPADEE book.
In a statement of defence filed by Hopeson Adorye, “Defendant denies each and every allegation of fact contained in Plaintiff’s Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim.”
The AGYAPADEE book, which is at the center of the controversy, was first introduced by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) before the 2024 general elections.
The book suggests a detailed strategy aimed at positioning and maintaining the Akyem people at commanding heights in all spheres of the Ghanaian economy.
Regarding the AGYAPADEE book, Hopeson Adorye stated that he became aware of the book before the 2020 general elections, during his days as a member of the communications team of the New Patriotic Party.
He claimed that the book was to contain some critical information on how the governance of the country would go, how some key decisions would be taken, and the procedures thereof.
Hopeson Adorye also stated that he subsequently saw a published copy of the book with the anticipated details in “Asaase,” this time under the name “AGYAPADEE.”
He claimed that the published book AGYAPADEE bore the date of AD 2020 under the name of Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin with contents including Economic and Financial Sector Control, the political terrain, religion, and chieftaincy, the national situation as regards the media landscape and international relations.
Hopeson Adorye denied tagging Okyenhene as the author of the AGYAPADEE book or portraying Ofori Panin Fie as corrupt.
He also stated that any discussion or commentary he made was based on the AGYAPADEE book, which was available to every Ghanaian.
Hopeson Adorye also claimed that his comments were fair and based on verifiable facts and that it was not actuated by malice.
He also stated that the comments were published in an appropriately measured tone commensurate with the seriousness of the issues raised.
In his statement of defence, Hopeson Adorye also claimed that Okyenhene is not entitled to any reliefs from him and that the claim is an abuse of the process of the Court, entirely without merit, and brought to exact financial reward from him and to stifle free speech.
Hopeson Adorye concluded his statement by stating that he will contend that since 2020, the AGYAPADEE book has been in the public domain, and it has been analyzed extensively.
He also stated that he would contend that the contents of the publication were limited to the content of the AGYAPADEE book and a fair, balanced analysis thereof.
He further claims that his attention was drawn to the book by a post on the social media pages of the NDC.
The plaintiff, Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta, explained that Hopeson Adorye’s comments on the book were defamatory and meant to tarnish his reputation.
Background History
Hopeson Yaovi Adorye was dragged to court by the Akyem Abuakwa State Secretary, Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta, for referring to him as the author and technical director of the ‘AGYAPADIE’ document.
The defamation suit, which is seeking the sum of Ten Million Ghana Cedis in general damages including aggravated and/or exemplary damages for defamation by Hopeson Adorye, also demands an apology.
The plaintiff further seeks a declaration of a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, or assigns from repeating similar or other defamatory words against the Plaintiff.
According to the writ of summons, on or about 26/07/2024, the 1st Defendant appeared as a panelist on the 2nd Defendant’s program “Onua Maakye,” a program carried on 2nd Defendant’s Onua TV among others.
It said that the 1st defendant was given the unfettered and unrestrained opportunity and indeed was encouraged to run an unjustified commentary on and/or amplification of a document titled “Agyapadee” in relation to the Plaintiff, the entire membership of Ofori Panin Fie and Okyeman inter alia as follows.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
