The security company alleged to be training party militia at the Osu Castle, the former seat of government has sued the Multimedia group Ltd.
De Eye-Group is also suing the head of investigations of the group Manasseh Azure Awuni for his undercover investigations in which he captured persons he claimed were militia group affiliated to the governing NPP being trained at the Osu Castle.
Even though the company claimed to have been lisenced, checks by Manasseh indicated the company was not registered and was operating illegally.
His documentary which grabbed the headlines both in the social and traditional media did not go down well with the security company.
They are therefore demanding damages in excess of 10 million from the two Respondents.
Background
On March 8, the Multimedia group aired a documentary in which young people were captured being trained at the Osu Castle by ex-military officers one of whom was said to be the personal body guard of the sitting president.
The documentary came at a time when the country is grappling with issues of party militia which culminated into violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.
A member of the NDC was shot to death by one of the members of the Hawks, a vigilante group affiliated to the opposition NDC. There was also a controversial tape in which a voice believed to be that of the chair of the NDC was heard plotting to kidnap people to create a state of fear and insecurity in the country.
Disband Party Militia
In the wake of these controversies, the president had stated clearly of his abhorrence to violence and had instructed the two parties to disband their militia group.
Just when the call for all parties to disband their militia group, Manasseh and the Multimedia Group released the content of the documentary they said had taken a number of months to shoot.
In the documentary members of the Eye Group provided security services during a programme the president had been invited.
In portions of the interview leaders of the Eye were heard berating the group for indulging in criminal activities. The content of the video shocked many and has become a subject of great controversy.
Government dismissed the content of the documentary with the Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah claiming it was a “complete misrepresentation.”
Slander and Defamation
The Eye Group has proceeded to court with a 10 million suit against Manasseh and the Multimedia group.
In the writ filed on March 13, the group insisted the documentary’s claim that it was operating a militia group with the complicity of the ruling New Patriotic Party was slanderous and defamatory and was made without any reasonable or just cause.
They are therefore asking the order of the court to stop Manasseh and the Multimedia Group from further airing the video and for them to retract and apologise.