An Accra High Court has ordered management of Magnum Force Security Company Limited, an Accra-based security company, to pay GH�1,000 to the management of Ghana News Agency (GNA) following consent judgment given in its favour.
It awarded the cost to the GNA for wrongfully being joined to a suit.
The court presided over by Mr Justice Kow Amissah-Koomson awarded the costs with the view that GNA was not the source of the libellous story over which the company sued.
In October 2009 the management of Magnum Force Security Company sued GNA and three others, claiming jointly and severally for libel.
It sought from the court an order for perpetual injunction restraining Editor of the Statesman, Databank, Despite Company Limited (operator of Peace FM) GNA and their agents and assigns from further publishing or circulating a libellous story against the company.
Management of the company claimed that GNA was the source of an alleged libellous story captioned: �SHOCKING: NDC CRONYISM, THE REASON FOR FUEL SHORTAGES� was aimed to destroy its good image.
In addition, the story was posted on the websites of the Statesman, and Peace FM on September 11, 2009 after they have sourced it from the GNA.
The management of GNA felt much aggrieved, entered appearance and filed a statement of defence and counter-claim, seeking jointly and severally special damages for libel against management of the company.
It also sought from the court, an order for perpetual injunction, restraining management of the company, its agents and assigns from further
publishing or circulating, or connecting the said libellous story to the GNA.
During proceedings, counsel for the company sought leave of the court for amicable settlement, and it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that the said libellous story sourced from the GNA was found not to be true.
By this decision, GNA was vindicated as not the source of the said story.