The Court of Appeal has ordered a retrial in the long-running defamation case filed by veteran journalist Abdul Malik Kweku Baako against businessman and former Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
In a unanimous decision delivered today, February 12, 2026, the appellate court upheld Kennedy Agyapong’s appeal against the 2020 High Court judgment that had ruled in Baako’s favour.
The Court of Appeal set aside the High Court ruling, citing a fundamental statutory breach that went to the root of the case, rendering the earlier decision flawed.
The court further directed that Kweku Baako refund all payments and damages received pursuant to the High Court judgment within 30 days.
Speaking exclusively to The1957News shortly after the ruling, a member of Agyapong’s legal team, Ralph Agyapong, described the decision as following established law and being “in the right direction.”
He noted that the Court of Appeal had aligned with principles from the Supreme Court in addressing the procedural issues.
Ralph Agyapong confirmed the order for a retrial but highlighted potential complications, including the statute of limitations, which could affect whether the case proceeds further.
“He’s the plaintiff, but there’s also a statute of limitation, so we are waiting,” he said.
The case dates back to July 2018, when Baako sued Kennedy Agyapong for defamation over statements made on various media platforms, including Kennedy Agyapong’s Net 2 TV and Oman FM, as well as Adom TV and Asempa FM. Baako alleged that Agyapong labeled him as “dishonest,” “evil,” “corrupt,” and implied involvement in illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) activities.
According to Ralph Agyapong, efforts to settle the matter amicably, including during the lifetime of the late General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Sir John, proved unsuccessful.
In June 2020, the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, found Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation. The court awarded Baako GH¢100,000 in general damages, GH¢30,000 in costs (totaling GH¢130,000), and ordered Agyapong to publish an unqualified retraction and apology on three consecutive occasions on the same platforms and with the same prominence as the original statements, within 30 days.
Baako had emphasized that his main goal was to vindicate his integrity rather than pursue financial compensation, stating he intended to donate any funds received to charity.
Kennedy Agyapong appealed the High Court decision, with the appeal process ongoing for several years. Earlier applications, including one to adduce fresh evidence (citing the leaked 2021 Frimpong-Boateng galamsey report), were dismissed by the Court of Appeal in 2023.
@the1957newsBREAKING: Court of Appeal orders retrial in defamation case between Kennedy Agyapong and Kweku Baako after upholding the appeal. Kweku Baako has been ordered to refund all payments received pursuant to the earlier High Court judgment within 30 days.
