The GHC5m libel suit the Ashanti regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Bosiako, has boastfully vowed to contest in court appears to be too heavy a burden for him to carry as the loudmouth politician cum businessman is now running away from his allegations against Ibrahim Mahama.
He has flatly denied ever uttering the supposed defamatory words against Chief Executive of Engineers and Planners, Ibrahim Mahama, which was captured on tape.
After running his mouth at NPP rallies and in the media that he was ready to square off with the president’s junior brother in court, the NPP regional chairman, popularly known as Wontumi, through his attorney, Egbert Fabille Jnr has denied a voice recording of the libelous comments he was alleged to have made about Ibrahim Mahama.
Concluding cross examination of the first witness, Adwoa Owusu, in the libel suit that has dragged on for almost two years, counsel for Wontumi, Egbert Fabille Jnr suggested to the witness that the voice making the rounds could not have been that of foul mouth NPP Ashanti regional chairman.
But the witness maintained that it was the voice of Wontumi, insisting that previous interviews with the defendant proved the said voice recording could be his. Though the case has been called several times and adjourned on numerous occasions, Wontumi is yet to appear in court in persons, forcing the presiding judge of Kumasi High Court 7, Justice Charles Adjie Wilson to issue a stern warning that he will not tolerate any further delay.
Despite the delays, Ibrahim Mahama, who has been present in court in all proceedings, said he is not perturbed by the undue delays, stating that even though the wheels of justice in the country grinds slowly, he is certain justice will be served him.
“Justice is all I am expecting that’s all. Nothing else and I will follow due process,” he told Ultimate Fm
Admitting the case has been dragging on for a long time, the President’s brother said he nevertheless, was optimistic and was awaiting the outcome of the court’s decision in due time.
According to him, some persons were bent on dragging him into politics; but noted that it was a normal practice in the country. He, however, stated that the libelous comments such as the ones for which he was in court, could not be taken for granted in the name of politics.
“It is an election fever you understand. When your brother’s opponents want to make means meat out of nothing they go about saying some of these things. I ignored it, but I need to clear my name. There are a lot of Ghanaians out there who have been defamed by the likes of such characters and never had the will to go and fight it in court. I will like to prove that the justice system works in Ghana, and no one must take it for granted,” he stated.
The case presided over by Justice Charles Adjei Wilson has been adjourned to the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of March 2016 to allow for the second and third witnesses to be called.
The President’s brother in April 2014 filed a writ at a Kumasi High Court against Chairman Wontumi, over a defamation charge.
Briefing the media after the first adjourned date on December 1, 2014, Lawyer for Ibrahim Mahama, Charles Zwennes said the Ashanti regional chairman of the NPP, whilst addressing his party faithful in April 2012 accused Ibrahim Mahama of siphoning proceeds from the fuel price increases.
According to him, the NPP capo also alleged that Mr. Ibrahim and his brother, the President, usually used the monies stolen from the national purse on luxurious holidays in South Africa.
He noted that Wontumi's comments were baseless and full of falsehood, hence Ibrahim's decision to haul him (Wontumi) to court to seek justice, stressing they were in court for a fair trial.
Even though lawyer Zwennes has called for expeditious trial, the opposite has been the case due to what he described as deliberate strategy by Wontumi’s lawyer, Egbert Fabille to delay the trial.
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