The Accra High Court has mandated Asamoah Gyan to pay damages exceeding GHc1 million as a result of his involvement in the malicious prosecution of journalist Anthony Osarfo. This legal decision followed a lawsuit filed by Osarfo against Gyan, asserting that the footballer had falsely implicated him in a rape incident with Sarah Kwablah, leading to Osarfo’s arrest and subsequent exoneration.
The court, ruling in favor of Osarfo, concluded that Gyan’s report to the police was built on falsehoods and aimed at safeguarding his image during negotiations for a transfer to a Chinese club.
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As part of the damages, the court awarded Osarfo GHc900,000 and an additional GHc111,000 to compensate for the 111 months of employment he lost. This period corresponded to the time during which he was earning GHc1,000 monthly.
In addition to the damages, the court directed both Gyan and his manager, Samuel Anim Addo, to bear a cost of GHc60,000. The total amount the defendants are obligated to pay is GHc1,071,000. Notably, Gyan was absent during the court proceedings, while his manager, Samuel Anim Addo, was present.
Background
In 2019, four people were acquitted and discharged by the Accra Circuit Court after being accused of extorting money from Asamoah Gyan, the captain of the Black Stars, to prevent the publication of allegations of rape and sodomy involving him.
The accused persons were Osarfo Anthony, an arts and entertainment writer; Chris Handler, a blogger; Sarah Kwablah, a Law Student, and Ekow Micah, a musician. They were prosecuted on charges of extortion and conspiracy to commit a crime.
The alleged sodomy story came to light in June 2016 through Ghana’s electronic and print media, with Sarah claiming that Gyan had engaged in sexual intercourse and anal sex with her, resulting in her pregnancy.
According to the prosecutor, Sarah discussed the matter with Micah and met with Anthony and Handler to discuss publishing the story on their website, to intimidate Gyan into giving them money. Anthony and Handler published the initial story on their website and promised to release a sex tape in subsequent editions.
The prosecution stated that a witness came across the story on their website, Ghanabase.com, and alerted the complainant. The complainant then contacted Anthony, who threatened to release the sex tape unless a significant sum of money was paid or a house was purchased for Sarah. To protect Gyan’s image, the complainant requested that Anthony and Handler hold off on publishing the story. However, Anthony and Handler continued to threaten to defame Gyan and demanded an urgent payment.
The prosecution revealed that the complainant pretended to be interested in paying the demanded amount. When Handler was contacted, they initially demanded GHc 30,000.00, but after negotiation, they settled on GHc 25,000.00.
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The complainant, Anthony, and Handler agreed to meet at the London Restaurant. The complainant reported the matter to the police, and on July 29, 2019, Anthony was apprehended at the London Restaurant, where he received $1,000, GHc 6,000.00, and a cheque for GHc 15,000.00. Anthony was subsequently arrested.
