Kusi Boateng’s appeal against Ablakwa dismissed over identity concerns; ¢40k costs awarded

An appeal filed by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng against North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which cited inconsistencies surrounding the appellant’s identity and upheld the public interest basis of the legislator’s claims.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday, March 26, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Anthony Oppong, ruled that it could not conclusively establish the identity of the appellant, noting that two different identities had been presented before the court.

The judges held that this fundamental defect significantly weakened the case. They further stressed that even if the identity issue had not arisen, the appeal would still have failed on its merits.

According to the Court, the statements made by Mr Ablakwa were grounded in truth and served the public interest, particularly in relation to safeguarding public funds. On that basis, the Court dismissed the appeal in its entirety.

The Court consequently awarded costs of GH¢40,000 against Rev. Kusi Boateng in favour of Mr Ablakwa.

The legal dispute originates from allegations made by the MP concerning the National Cathedral project, where he accused Rev. Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the Board of Trustees, of conflict of interest and the use of multiple identities.

In January 2023, Mr Ablakwa petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), raising concerns over alleged financial impropriety, including a GH¢2.6 million payment to a company purportedly linked to the Reverend under a separate identity.

Rev. Kusi Boateng subsequently initiated a defamation suit against the MP. However, the High Court, presided over by Justice Barbara Tetteh-Charway, dismissed the case, a decision later challenged on appeal which has now been lost.

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