The High Court in Accra has imposed a fine of GH₵3,000 on activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor in the ongoing GH₵10 million defamation suit filed by National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah.
The fine, awarded for court hearing notice and notes, came as the court officially closed the plaintiff’s case following the persistent absence of Barker-Vormawor and his legal counsel.
Vormawor absent again, cross-examination abandoned
The day’s proceedings were scheduled for the continuation of Mr. Kan-Dapaah’s cross-examination, which began in November 2024. However, neither Mr. Barker-Vormawor nor his lawyer appeared in court.
Counsel for Mr. Kan-Dapaah informed the court that the hearing date had been granted at the request of the defence and argued that their failure to show up clearly indicated a lack of interest in pursuing the cross-examination any further.
Given the repeated adjournments — mostly at the defendant’s instance — and the absence of a Statement of Defence or Witness Statement from Barker-Vormawor, the court ruled in favour of the plaintiff’s request to formally close his case.
The court agreed that Mr. Kan-Dapaah had no more witnesses to call and discharged him accordingly.
Written addresses ordered
With this ruling, the court directed both parties to file their written addresses — a summary of their final legal arguments — within three weeks.
The case has been adjourned to October 24, 2025, for mention.
This development effectively waives Barker-Vormawor’s right to further cross-examine the Minister, pushing the high-profile case one step closer to a final judgment.
The GH¢10m defamation suit
The defamation suit arose from public allegations made by Barker-Vormawor, a leading figure in the #FixTheCountry Movement.
He claimed that Mr. Kan-Dapaah offered him a $1 million bribe along with government positions in exchange for halting his activism.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah has strongly denied the accusations, calling them false and reputationally damaging.
In response, the Minister filed the GH¢10 million lawsuit seeking damages, a formal apology, and a perpetual injunction restraining Barker-Vormawor from making similar claims.
Court frustrated with delays
The court expressed frustration with the procedural delays, noting that Barker-Vormawor’s Statement of Defence had earlier been struck out and had not been relisted.
Despite multiple opportunities and adjournments granted, the defendant failed to regularise his defence or participate in proceedings effectively.
Next steps
With Mr. Kan-Dapaah’s case now closed and both sides expected to submit their final addresses, the court will proceed to weigh the merits of the case based on the records before it.
The October 24 date is expected to determine the next step toward delivering judgment in a defamation suit that has drawn wide public interest due to its political and civil rights implications.
