The Right Honourable Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Frederick Kaningen, the constituency organizer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Nadowli-Kaleo, accusing him of making false and malicious statements that have tarnished his reputation as a respected lawyer and politician.
The legal action, lodged in the High Court of Justice in Wa on April 3, 2025, stems from a press conference held by Kaningen on March 11, 2025, outside the NDC party office in Nadowli. During the event, Kaningen allegedly accused Bagbin of attempting to “subvert the democratic process” and impose his will on the people of Nadowli-Kaleo by circumventing the party’s vetting process to install an unqualified candidate as District Chief Executive (DCE). He further claimed that Bagbin’s actions threatened to “destabilize the peace and unity” of the constituency.
Bagbin, in his statement of claim, vehemently denies these allegations, describing them as baseless and designed to provoke public disaffection and ridicule. He asserts that the statements, which were broadcast widely by Joy News and Citi News and repeated on Upper West Region radio stations, falsely portray him as unscrupulous, dishonest, and willing to undermine democratic principles for personal gain.
A seasoned lawyer with over 40 years of experience and the founder of the prestigious Law Trust firm, Bagbin highlights his illustrious political career, including his current role as Speaker of the Eighth and Ninth Parliaments of Ghana’s Fourth Republic. He argues that Kaningen’s remarks have inflicted significant damage to his hard-earned reputation, prompting concern from fellow parliamentarians, NDC members, and relatives who have reached out to him since the broadcast.
In the suit, Bagbin seeks a court declaration that the statements are defamatory, aggravated damages, and an injunction to prevent Kaningen from making similar claims in the future. He also demands that Kaningen retract the statements and issue an unqualified apology through three publications in Joy News and Citi News, following a news conference in front of the NDC office in Nadowli. Additionally, he is requesting legal costs.
“The statements are entirely false and were published with malice,” Bagbin’s legal team, led by Thaddeus Sory Esq. of Sory@Law, stated in the filing. “Unless restrained by this court, the defendant will persist in this smear campaign.”
Kaningen, served with the writ on April 4, 2025, has eight days to enter an appearance in court, failing which judgment may be entered against him in his absence. The case has drawn attention due to Bagbin’s prominence and the internal NDC tensions it may signal ahead of future party decisions in the Nadowli-Kaleo constituency.
By: Adil Fuseini
