Lawyers of popular dancehall artiste, Charles Nii Armah Mensah, also known as Shatta Wale have requested for two weeks for the parties to file terms of settlement.
Counsel for Shatta Wale, Frank Atese Kwabena, who was holding brief for Lawyer Cynthia Quarcoe told the court that, “We have been able to make some headway and we will ask for a short date to file our terms of settlement.”
Asked by the Court presided over by Justice Joseph Agyemang Adu Owusu how much time they would need, Counsel said “we will ask for two weeks,” and suggested June 27, 2023.
Justice Adu Owusu after hearing counsel said since “settlement is still in progress,” the case is adjourned to June 27.
On November 02, 2022, Shatta Wale was said to have made a publication on his Facebook page implicating his former manager, Bulldog in the murder of Fennec Okyere among others.
Lawrence Asiamah Hanson, aka Bulldog, former manager of Shatta Wale then dragged him to court for defamation suit.
But, the parties have in various sittings especially counsel for Shatta Wale told the court that the parties are willing to settle the matter out of court.
Since March 7, this year, when the request was made, the parties have appeared in court at least three times with settlement said to be progressing.
On April 18, 2023, lawyers for Shatta Wale requested for a month for further negotiations after lawyers for Bulldog indicated the parties failed to reach agreement.
Back in court after a month in May 16, Lawyers for Shatta Wale announced to the Court that, the parties have now agreed settlement terms in principle.
He, therefore, prayed the court for a month adjournment for the parties to draft the terms of settlement and same filed to the court for its adoption as a consent judgement.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, who was in Court said Shatta Wale who was absent by was represented while Bulldog arrived in the course of the case being heard.
*Background*
On March 7, the dancehall artiste through his lawyer requested the court to oblige them an out of court settlement, which was granted.
But the parties failed to reach a settlement when they appeared in court on Tuesday, April 18.
Dr Justice Srem Sai, counsel for the Plaintiff (Bulldog), said negotiations have failed and the parties were back in court for its further directives.
But, counsel for Shatta Wale, Lawyer Selasie Atuwo said the will to settle the matter is mutual for both side but the issue was about the quantum of amount.
He, therefore, prayed for an adjournment to enable the parties try to settle the matter.
“The will to settle the case is there for both side but the issue now is about the quantum of amount. If we may be given a date to try to settle,” lawyer Selasie Atuwo told the court
The court presided over by Justice Joseph Adu Agyemang Owusu, while adjourning the case to May 16, urged them to try and settle the case before the next court sitting.
Shatta Wale was dragged to court by Lawrence Asiamah Hanson also known as Bulldog for defamation and the plaintiff is seeking damages for the alleged defamation and same for malicious publication of falsehood against him by the defendant.
“The series of publication that the Defendant has made and continues to make about the Plaintiff are actuated by plain malice,” the writ filed by Bulldog’s Lawyer, Justice Srem-Sai said.
*Reliefs*
The plaintiff is seeking the following reliefs
1.A declaration of the Court that the series of publications made by the Defendant as particularised in the Statement of Claim are defamatory to the Plaintiff.
2. A declaration of the Court that the series of publications made by the Defendant in the Statement of Claim are malicious.
3. An order of the Court directed at the Defendant to on all his social media pages or accounts, make a publication on seven (7) consecutive days of an unqualified retraction of and unreserved apology for the defamatory words that the Defendant has published about the Plaintiff, such retraction and apology to be vetted and approved by the Plaintiff’s lawyers.
4. An order of the Court for perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant, his agents, workmen, assigns and servants from publishing or further publishing any defamatory words against the Plaintiff.
5. General damages for defamation.
6. Special damages for defamation.
7. Punitive damages for malicious publication of falsehood against the Plaintiff.
8. Cost, and
9. Any other orders or remedies that the Court may deem fit
*Subject matter*
On November 02, 2022, Shatta Wale was said to have made a publication on his Facebook page implicating his former manager, Bulldog in the murder of Fennec Okyere among others.
Upon this the Ghana Police Service to open investigations into the defendant’s publications.
Fennec Okyere, who was the manager of controversial musician, Kwaw Kese, was murdered at his Manet Gardens residence on the Spintex Road, Accra on Thursday, March 13, 2014 by unknown assailants. He died at age 31.
Lawrence Nana Asiama Hanson, was picked up by the Police Criminal Investigative Department (CID) as a suspect in the death of Fennec Okyere.
This was because Bullgod (then known as Bulldog) who had regular beefs with Fennec Okyere, had supposedly threatened him in an interview.
In 2017, the courts, on the advice of the Attorney-General that there was no evidence against the accused, discharged Bulldog.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Murtala Inusah
