In a significant development in Ghana’s parliamentary and legal landscape, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has in
In a significant development in Ghana’s parliamentary and legal landscape, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, has initiated legal proceedings against his fellow lawmaker, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South.
The lawsuit, filed on May 13, 2025, accuses Rev. Fordjour of defamation stemming from a social media post that Dafeamekpor claims has caused substantial harm to his reputation, business interests, and mental well-being.
The controversy began on May 8, 2025, when Rev. Ntim Fordjour took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to level serious corruption allegations against Dafeamekpor. In the post, Rev. Fordjour alleged that Dafeamekpor—who currently serves as the Majority Chief Whip in Parliament—played a key role as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation at a time when the former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, allegedly paid GH¢360,000 to the committee to influence the passage of a Legislative Instrument (L.I.).
These allegations tie into a broader legal case involving Adu-Boahene, who is facing charges of stealing, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.
As part of his defence against accusations of embezzling GH¢49.1 million, Adu-Boahene reportedly disclosed that allowances amounting to GH¢960,000 and GH¢309,000 were paid to Members of Parliament on the Defence and Interior Committee and the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, respectively, during the approval process for the NSB Act and its accompanying Legislative Instrument.
Rev. Fordjour’s post did not only allege misconduct but also called for a comprehensive investigation into the actions of Dafeamekpor and others implicated.
He suggested that a formal inquiry would expose a broader network of wrongdoing linked to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the political party to which Dafeamekpor belongs.
Reacting swiftly, Dafeamekpor filed a defamation suit at the High Court, categorically denying the claims made against him.
In his statement of claim, he described the allegations as “false, malicious, and defamatory,” arguing that they were made with “calculated malice” to tarnish his integrity and portray him as a corrupt lawmaker willing to accept bribes to pass legislation.
“The Plaintiff says that the defamatory statements made by the Defendant and published on ‘X’, formerly ‘Twitter’, are untrue and same was made with calculated malice, aforethought, in order to paint the Plaintiff as a person who is corrupt and accepts bribes to pass Legislations of Parliament,” the court document states.
Dafeamekpor further contends that the publication of these claims has resulted in serious reputational damage, economic losses, disruption of his professional responsibilities, and emotional distress.
He is therefore seeking multiple legal remedies, including a retraction of the post, a public apology from Rev. Fordjour, and both an interlocutory and perpetual injunction to prevent the defendant from making or sharing any further defamatory statements.
The case also emerges against the backdrop of intensifying scrutiny of parliamentary oversight and alleged financial misconduct tied to security-related legislation. The broader implications of the defamation suit may affect not only the individuals involved but also the public’s confidence in the integrity of legislative processes in Ghana.
Meanwhile, legal proceedings against Kwabena Adu-Boahene continue, with the case adjourned to May 26, 2025, for a case management conference.
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