Social media sensation, Kelvin Taylor has been slapped with one million Ghana cedis in damages for defamatory comments he made against Senior Partner of Accra-based Corporate Law firm, Africa Legal Associates (ALA), Gabby Otchere-Darko.
The Commercial Court 10 Division of the High Court presided over by Her Ladyship, Jennifer Abena Dadzie, awarded the damages against the self-styled journalist for his commentary on the botched Power Distribution Service (PDS) deal.
The 20-year concessionaire agreement which was expected to be a game-changer in the country’s power distribution sub-sector sparked controversies at its inception and was eventually terminated for what government communication described as fundamental and material breaches of PDS’ obligation in the provision of payment securities (demand guarantees).
Government at the time said the breaches were discovered after further due diligence.
Mr. Taylor in his social media commentary on the controversial deal alleged that Mr. Otchere-Darko was a beneficiary of the transaction and that Mr. Otchere-Darko rendered legal consultancy on the transaction which was pushed for personal gain.
Mr. Kevin Taylor is said to have also insinuated in his commentaries that Mr Gabby bought property in Mayfair, London (United Kingdom) with proceeds from PDS or a similar transaction of a questionable nature.
Mr. Otchere-Darko however denied the allegations made in Kelvin Taylor’s social media broadcast, “With All Due Respect”, and in October 2019, sued for defamation.
Mr. Taylor, neither entered appearance nor filed a statement of defence to substantiate the allegations.
This was notwithstanding a 16th March 2020 varied order of service the court issued following what Mr. Otchere-Darko’s lawyers say were difficulties in serving the defendant with the suit.
This order was for Mr. Taylor to be served via his advertised Facebook wall and WhatsApp number.
The Court in its judgment on Tuesday said that Mr. Kevin Taylor had, without any basis, whatsoever, made very serious defamatory comments against Mr. Gabby Otchere-Darko.
Justice Jennifer Dadzie said her full judgment on the matter will be made available on Tuesday, 3 November 2020.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
