Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu, popularly known as Wanlov has been ordered by a court to pay ¢55,000 to the co-founder of Chalewote Street Art Festival, Mantse Aryeequaye.
This was after Mr. Aryeequaye won a defamation case against Wanlov.
In 2019, Wanlov had made an allegation that the plaintiff is a 'sex predator' and an abuser of women.
"Mantse Melvin Nii Aryeequaye of AccraDotAlt, Sabolai Radio Music Festival, Chalewote Street Art Festival & Redd Kat Pictures is a woman beater, woman abuser & a sexual predator. He picked the wrong person to intimidate," he said in a tweet.
Following this allegation, Mantse filed a defamation lawsuit against Wanlov.
The case commenced in 2019 and took months to reach a verdict.
According to the verdict issued by the court, Wanlov has been unable to provide compelling evidence to support his allegations.
The court stated that Wanlov had not exercised “the best of judgments” in making such allegations.
It said Wanlov “appeared to be naive and did not exercise the best of judgement' whilst making those allegations.”
"He appeared to have allowed his popularity in the arts industry to have clouded his judgement on the occasion,"
Lawyers representing Mr. Ayeequaye wanted about ¢1,000,000 in damages.
However, the court said the amount was excessive and that even though the defendant deserved to pay for damages, he should not be destroyed with punitive measures.
"I think the defendant even though liable to pay damages must not be destroyed with punitive damages of that colossal amount that can destroy his talent in the arts community. As result, and way of 'go and sin' no more, I shall award by way of general damages a compensatory sum of GH¢50,000.00 against the defendant in favour of the plaintiff," the court said.
The court also issued a restraining order for the defendant.
According to the court, it is restraining the defendant, "his assigns, agents, privies whatsoever and howsoever described from any further publication of the said libelous and defamatory statement or any similar words or statements of the defamatory of the plaintiff.”
Latest Stories
-
Evergrande: China property giant and its founder accused of $78bn fraud
10 mins -
All set for ‘Detor – The Rise of A Warrior Hunter’ premiere
15 mins -
Obaapanin Grace Duoduwaa aka Ogrey
33 mins -
How to heal your heart after you’ve been left
2 hours -
Joy FM’s Eastern Camp Adventure: Discoveries, experiences, excitement!
2 hours -
There are 3 types of divorced men — and only one is relationship material
2 hours -
More than 79,000 Ghanaian girls 12 -17 years married, living with men
2 hours -
Tamale water crisis forces students out of school
2 hours -
Religious leader urges participation in 2024 election; calls for support for Aflao community
2 hours -
Who followed up when Elon Musk closed Twitter’s Ghana office – Sam Georges questions government
2 hours -
‘Only God can change this place’: Haitians see no end to spiralling violence
2 hours -
SB4: Supreme Court blocks Texas police from arresting migrants
3 hours -
Trump unable to get $464m bond in New York fraud case, his lawyers say
3 hours -
Millions withdrawn from Commercial Bank of Ethiopia due to a system error
3 hours -
NCA’s failure to act cause of internet disruptions – Sam George
3 hours