Accra-based radio station, Joy Fm, The Multimedia Group and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kwasi Twum have sued the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central Constituency, Kennedy Agyapong over what it describes as false and defamatory statements.
In a statement signed by the Management of The Multimedia Group, it said "Joy Fm, The Multimedia Group and the Chief Executive Officer, Kwasi Twum have been compelled and have taken a firm decision to afford the MP, his media organisation and three (3) of his employees the opportunity to prove the allegations in court"
The letter also revealed that two other online publications that also circulated the outright falsehoods without care or any attempt to verify the allegations against the three Plaintiffs by republication on the 11th and 16th July, 2021 have been joined as 6th and 7th Defendants.
"The broadcasts and publications falsely sought to portray the Plaintiffs as unethical, unprofessional and criminal. The broadcasts and publications as well as associated defamatory commentary have been carefully and meticulously gathered and formally transcribed and translated. Our lawyers are under firm instructions to sue to clear our names"
Management of the Multimedia Group says it is assuring all concerned, its cherished audience, stakeholders, clients as well as family, friends, alumni among others that their lawyers will today, September 1, 2021 file a suit.
It added that it appreciates the patience and unrelenting support in pursuit to vindicate its rights, reputations and business.
Background On 16th July, 2021, it was reported that the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central Constituency, Kennedy Agyapong did not take it kindly with the Multimedia Group for filing a complaint with the CID and subsequently getting him hauled to the Privileges Committee of the Parliament of Ghana.
Kennedy Agyapong warned the CEO of the Multimedia Group to call his workers at Joy Fm to order before he expose him.
According to Kennedy Agyapong, Multimedia Group which is one of the biggest private media companies in Ghana was built with proceeds from the illicit drug trade and he can prove it.
He warned Kwasi Twum to be careful because one ‘Jones’ is still alive and he will show the whole of Ghana where he used to send the drug to sell that he used the proceed to build multimedia.
“Joy FM the drugs that were used to establish your firm if you joke I will expose you. Jones is not dead, I will show you, people, where you used to send the drugs,” Kennedy Agyapong said in an interview.
“I’m not afraid of Joy FM, I’m not afraid of you. If you joke I will disgrace people”, Kennedy Agyapong added.
It all started when Kennedy Agyapong asked people to beat up Erastus Asare Donkor, a senior reporter with Multimedia Group in Kumasi mercilessly after he testified at the committee set up to investigate the Ejura shooting.
Multimedia filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana police service and copied the Jubilee House, Parliament, and other institutions.
It could be recalled that Kennedy Agyapong made similar pronouncements on Ahmed Suale, the partner of Anas Aremyeaw Anas, the investigative journalist which eventually led to his death.
Multimedia in a bid to avoid the same happening to Erastus filed the complaint and even cited the same situation of Ahmed and Kennedy Agyapong is pissed.
Below is a copy of the letter:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith