Hassan Zein
Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known in showbiz as A Plus, has surrendered in a defamation suit brought against him by Ghanaian business mogul and philanthropist, Hassan Zein.
The celebrated businessman sued the controversial musician-turned-politician two years ago as a result of defamatory comments that damaged his reputation, as the allegations were widely published by the media.
A Plus, per a court document, has decided to settle the matter thereby reaching an agreement with the businessman.
He has decided to, among others, retract and apologise for the defamatory comments for which he was dragged before the court.
Mr. Zein sued A Plus in 2022 for defamation and sought reliefs, including a declaration that the defendant had defamed his reputation.
The writ sought general damages of GH¢10 million for the defamation and an order directed at A Plus to retract the said defamatory comment and picture of Mr. Zein through the same medium used in defaming the businessman.
Mr. Zein also sought an order directed at A Plus to apologise within seven days using the same medium used to commit the act of defamation.
Again, it asked for a perpetual injunction against A Plus from ever defaming the reputation of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Ambassador at large.
The case had been progressing steadily before a High Court in Accra, but A Plus through his counsel decided to enter into an agreement with the plaintiff to bring an amicable end to the case.
The parties, on January 22, 2024, reached an agreement and the court, presided over by Justice Kwasi Adjenim-Boateng, on January 29, 2024 adopted the terms of the settlement between the parties as the consent judgement of the court.
Per the terms of the agreement, A Plus has agreed to retract the comment and picture of Mr. Zein through the same medium same were posted on.
He has also agreed to apologise to the businessman through the same medium the comment was posted on.
Again, A Plus has agreed to pay a cost of GH¢100,000 to the businessman.
“That these terms shall constitute the entire understanding of the parties and completely extinguish the rights, obligations and claims of the parties arising from the subject matter of this suit,” court documents indicate.
Mr. Hassan Zein is said to be very worried as to how things like this can happen in a civilised state like Ghana.
Efforts to reach counsel for A Plus through a phone call and text were not responded to.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak