An Accra high court on Monday awarded a total of ?15million cost against The Chronicle and Kofi Coomson before admitting defendants? motion for amended statement of defense in the case in which Messrs Charles Wereko-Brobby and VRA are asking for ?2 billion in exemplary damages for alleged libelous publications against the claimants.
Presiding judge, Ms. Torkenoo briefly considered the opposition of the lawyers for Wereko-Brobby against the motion and wondered why she should not grant it.
Messrs Kofi Aboagye argued that the proposed amendment was ?legally, procedurally and substantially incompetent? and meant to cause undue delay, hence no useful purpose would be served by granting the application, adding that even if it would be granted, it should be done on terms.
When asked by the judge what the terms were, counsel mentioned ?10 million cost for each of the two cases.
?You are supposed to be the Christian gentleman here, why such. ?or this does not concern Christianity,? the judge queried, repeating the query as she quickly wrote her ruling.
Defending lawyer, Joe Mante explained to the court that they had just taken over the case and that the defendants had not been apprised of the import of the particulars, which had been available but were not filed timely by previous counsel
This had now been done, he said, but the judge accepted the application, informing the lawyers that defendants must be given the opportunity to defend themselves to the fullest ?so that our democracy would be enhanced.? However, she awarded a total of ?15 million for waste of the court?s time.
Source: GhanaWeb
