Source: newsthemegh.com
Asamoah Gyan, the former captain of the Black Stars, has been ordered by an Accra High Court to pay half of the GH¢1 million judgment debt that was issued against him for malicious prosecution.
Gyan’s request for a stay of execution while he attempts to appeal the judgment was granted, leading to this decision.
Gyan has 30 days to pay the amount owed.
On December 8, 2023, Osarfo Anthony, an entertainment journalist, won a damages award of over GH¢1 million from the Court, which was chaired by Justice Ernest Owusu-Dapaa.
After Gyan and his manager, Samuel Anim Addo, were cleared of extortion charges pertaining to a purported rape incident involving Gyan and Sarah Kwablah, Anthony launched a case of malicious prosecution against them.
Nearly five months after the verdict, Gyan and his attorneys asked for a stay of execution and a notice of appeal.
Judge Owusu-Dapaa issued a stay of execution on May 8, 2024, pending the appeal. However, Gyan was required to deposit half of the judgment sum with the court registrar within 30 days, not including public holidays and weekends.
Until the appeal is settled, the Court ordered that the deposited cash be invested on a rollover basis in a 182-day Treasury Bill issued by the Government of Ghana. Justice Owusu-Dapaa underlined that both parties benefit from this arrangement, which guarantees Anthony’s protection against non-payment in the event that Gyan loses the appeal and Gyan’s ability to recoup the money in the event that he wins.
The court additionally threatened to execute the judgment debt in full by Anthony if Gyan did not follow the order within the allotted time.
The lawsuit is based on an occurrence where Anthony was arrested and charged with extortion by Gyan and Anim Addo.
After Anthony was found not guilty, he filed a lawsuit alleging malicious prosecution, saying the charges were unfounded and meant to harm Gyan’s reputation while he was negotiating a transfer to a Chinese team.
According to Justice Owusu-Dapaa, Anthony was granted significant damages since the prosecution was dishonest and relied on fabrications. GH¢900,000 in general damages, GH¢111,000 for lost wages over 111 months, and GH¢60,000 for legal costs made up the entire verdict sum.