The Accra High Court has imposed a fine of GH₵1 million on former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan for maliciously prosecuting journalist Anthony Sarfo.
Gyan, along with his manager Samuel Anim Addo, was found guilty by the court for falsely accusing Sarfo of extortion and unlawful arrest. The incident dates back to 2016 when a story concerning alleged sodomy involving Gyan was published on a website owned by Sarfo.
Initially, Gyan and his management alleged that Sarfo and three others had extorted money from them, leading to their arrest and subsequent charges. However, the court ruled that the arrest orchestrated by Anim Addo aimed to safeguard Gyan’s reputation and facilitate his move to China, rather than being directly linked to the publication itself.
As part of the judgment, Sarfo was awarded GH₵900,000 in damages, GH₵111,000 for the 111 months he was out of work, and GH₵1,000 for each of the 111 days he spent in court, totaling GH₵1,071,000.
Additionally, both Anim Addo and Gyan were instructed to pay GH₵60,000 each, resulting in a combined total of GH₵1,191,000 owed by Gyan and his management team.
This ruling signifies a pivotal moment in the legal dispute between Gyan and Sarfo. The court’s decision highlights the significance of safeguarding journalists from malicious prosecution and holds accountable those engaging in such actions.
The legal battle commenced in 2019 when Sarfo and his co-accused were acquitted and discharged of extortion charges previously brought against them by Gyan. Subsequently, Sarfo pursued a lawsuit against Gyan and Anim Addo for malicious prosecution, seeking damages of GH₵1 million, resulting in this recent court ruling.
