Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, a local government expert and prominent member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is set to take the witness stand on Monday, July 8, 2024, in defense of the party’s chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Graphic Online reports.
This development comes after Asiedu Nketia, unable to start his defense last Monday due to illness, submitted a medical excuse duty as required by the court.
A GH¢20 million defamation lawsuit was filed by former Auditor-General, Professor Dua Agyeman, now the Board Chairman of the Ghana Audit Service.
Agyeman claims that Asiedu Nketia made defamatory remarks suggesting that Agyeman fabricated audit reports, leading to his dismissal by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana.
Professor Ahwoi will testify in his role as a member of the Citizens Vetting Committee (CVC), which reviewed Prof. Agyeman’s professional conduct as an accountant and auditor in 1982. The case, adjourned to July 8, 2024, will see Ahwoi provide key insights into the vetting process and Agyeman’s professional background.
Meanwhile, the court has instructed Asiedu Nketia’s legal team to ensure that the medical excuse duty is accompanied by a cover letter and submit it on the next court date.
The defamation suit centers on statements made by Asiedu Nketia in an October 2, 2018 interview on Neat FM, where he alleged that Agyeman was banned from auditing for producing fake accounts for a non-existent company in 1983.
Prof. Dua Agyeman argues that these statements were baseless and damaging to his reputation, seeking a court declaration that the comments were defamatory.
He also seeks an injunction to prevent further defamatory statements, a retraction and apology from Asiedu Nketia, and GH¢20 million in general and compensatory damages.
