Mrs. Elsie Appau-Klu Esq. has given GhanaWeb 48hours to retract and apologize over what her Lawyers described as defamatory, malicious, and false publication against her.
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In a two-page letter sighted by Awake News, Mrs. Appau-Klu’s lawyers said there is no iota of truth in GhanaWeb’s publication under the headlines, “Deputy GRA Commissioner dragged before EOCO, CHRAJ over ‘unlawful’ land encroachment claims”
In the first place, there is no iota of truth in your said publication, which is obviously tainted with malice and deliberately aimed at tarnishing the very guarded image of our client – the letter said.
According to her, the contents of the said petition GhanaWeb relied on and claimed to have been filed by one Nana Awuku Bram is a matter under litigation before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“The matter cited in your publication is currently under litigation and pending before a Court of competent jurisdiction which the said Nana Awuku Bram has been served with the Writ of Summons, but has to date not caused Appearance or Defence to be filed in that instant suit,” – the letter stated
“There has been no judicial finding of wrongdoing, encroachment, or abuse of office by Mrs. Appau-Klu. She has abided by all legal processes, and our client denies ever using her public role to exploit or having any such powers, real or imagined, to command state institutions or uniformed individuals for personal gains.” – The Lawyers emphasized
Mrs. Appau-Klu accused GhanaWeb, its News Editor, and Reporter of violating the ethics of professional journalism for failing to get her side of the story before publication.
“Again, your publication relies on a petition from one Nana Awuku Bram, containing unsubstantiated claims of land encroachment, abuse of public office, and purported use of “thugs” and “state security” for demolition of structures on disputed land in Oyarifa.
GhanaWeb’s decision to publish these serious accusations without due diligence, verification, or an attempt to obtain a response from Mrs. Appau-Klu is a clear violation of responsible journalism and demonstrates a reckless disregard for the truth,” the letter stated
Again, labeling their client as “embattled” employed in your article is not only unfounded but also deliberately seeks to malign her reputation.
Mrs. Appau-Klu’s demands:
“In light of the serious nature of these allegations, we demand that the following actions be undertaken immediately:
1. A prompt and unconditional retraction of the defamatory publication/article from your website and all affiliated platforms;
2. A public apology to our client, Mrs. Elsie Appau-Klu, to be prominently placed within 6 hours on your homepage, matching the prominence of the original article;
3. An immediate cessation of any further publication of defamatory content related to our client;
4. Preservation of all correspondence, editorial notes, and digital evidence relating to this publication, which will be subject to discovery should legal proceedings arise.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE and notice is hereby served that your failure to comply with these demands within 48 hours upon receipt of this letter, duly served and brought to your attention, our client will have no alternative but to initiate legal proceedings against GhanaWeb and its editorial management for defamation, reputational injury, and emotional distress.
We urge GhanaWeb to recognise the gravity of this situation and to act decisively to rectify the substantial harm caused by this publication.”
See the full letter below:
