Kwame Baffoe Abronye fails to stop Samson Lardy Anyenini defamation suit

Kwame Baffoe loses bid to halt Samson Lardy Anyenini's defamation suit

The Court of Appeal in Kumasi has dismissed an application by the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, seeking to halt a defamation lawsuit brought against him. The ruling, delivered on October 21, 2026, by a three-member panel chaired by Justice Eric Baah, also saw the court award costs of GH₵10,000 against Baffoe. This decision marks the politician's third unsuccessful attempt to stay the proceedings in a case that has been pending for over a year and a half. The legal battle began in April 2025 when lawyer and journalist Samson Lardy Anyenini filed a suit against Baffoe and Wontumi Multimedia Company Limited. The action stems from televised and broadcast comments made on Wontumi TV and Radio, where Baffoe allegedly labeled Anyenini as "corrupt," "dishonest," and a "thief." Anyenini has vehemently denied these accusations, asserting that they were malicious and intended to damage his professional standing. He is seeking substantial damages for the harm caused to his reputation. In its latest ruling, the Court of Appeal focused on the procedural merits of the stay application rather than the substance of the defamation claims. Despite the lawsuit being initiated roughly 18 months ago, Baffoe has reportedly not yet filed a formal Statement of Defence. Previous efforts by the NPP chairman to have the case dismissed or halted at the High Court level were also rejected. With the appellate court's dismissal of this latest application, the substantive defamation case is now expected to proceed at the Kumasi High Court.