"Boahene Family Sues Dr. Ayine for Alleged Character Assassination"

The Attorney General

Former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu Boahene, and his wife have filed a defamation suit against the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, over comments made during a press conference on March 24, 2025.

In their lawsuit, the couple alleges that Dr. Ayine’s statements falsely depicted them as criminals and fraudsters involved in embezzlement of state funds and money laundering.

They contend that these accusations have gravely damaged their reputations, caused significant emotional distress, subjected them to public ridicule, and impacted their family — with their children reportedly facing taunts at school.

The suit further states, "The defendant also published the full written text of the defamatory material on the worldwide internet," noting that the video of the press conference has circulated widely on social media and news outlets, fueling ongoing negative public sentiment against them.

The plaintiffs accuse Dr. Ayine of acting beyond his constitutional authority, alleging that he sought to destroy their reputations in the court of public opinion without affording them due process.

They also claim that his remarks were made "recklessly and without candour," and that he collaborated with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest and detain them without giving them an opportunity to respond to the allegations. Their statement of claim highlights several key grievances, including:

• Branding them publicly as criminals prior to any court ruling.

• Spreading false information about their travel history and financial affairs.

• Breaching national security protocols by exposing sensitive information.

• Using the media to prematurely suggest their guilt and custodial sentences.

The plaintiffs argue that these actions were motivated by malice and constituted a gross abuse of power intended to inflict maximum reputational damage.

As a result, they are seeking the following reliefs:

i. Exemplary and punitive damages against the defendant for publishing and/or broadcasting highly offensive and defamatory material about them during the March 24, 2025, press conference.

ii. An order for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from further publishing or broadcasting the same or similar defamatory statements.

iii. Costs, including legal fees.

MICHAEL OPPONG-AMPONSAH