The Court of Appeal in Kumasi has rejected another application by Bono Regional NPP Chairman Kwame Baffoe, commonly known as Abronye, seeking to suspend the defamation proceedings brought against him by lawyer and journalist Samson Lardy Anyenini.
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the Court of Appeal, in its ruling by the three-member panel, presided over by Justice Eric Baah, dismissed Abronye’s renewed application for a stay of proceedings pending an interlocutory appeal.
The court also ordered Abronye to pay GH¢10,000 in costs.
The latest decision represents another setback in his efforts to prevent the substantive case from proceeding at the Kumasi High Court.
Abronye’s latest application follows a series of unsuccessful attempts to halt or dismiss the action.
On November 28, 2025, the Kumasi High Court refused to strike out Samson Lardy Anyenini’s suit; although the court directed a reassessment of the filing fees, it rejected Abronye’s other procedural objections.
The dispute over filing fees subsequently led to a petition to the Chief Justice, and the Judicial Service later issued a circular on February 4, 2026, clarifying the assessment of fees in defamation cases.
Abronye subsequently returned to the High Court, seeking to have the suit struck out over alleged non-compliance with the earlier order.
That application was dismissed on April 17, 2026, with the court directing the defendants to file the required processes within 14 days.
He then applied for a stay of proceedings pending an appeal, but the High Court rejected that request on May 26, 2026.
Meanwhile, Wontumi Multimedia Company Limited has reportedly approached Samson Anyenini to explore an amicable settlement on behalf of itself and its programme host, the first and second defendants in the case.
Abronye, the third defendant, is represented by lawyer David Boakye Mensah, while Mr Anyenini is represented by Etornam Caleb Afutu. Kwadwo Bediako-Baryeh held brief for Mr Afutu at Wednesday’s hearing.
Meanwhile, it must be noted that the Court of Appeal’s decision does not determine whether the allegedly defamatory statements were made or whether the defendants are liable; it also does not dispose of Abronye’s pending interlocutory appeal.
Instead, the ruling removes his latest attempt to suspend proceedings, allowing the substantive defamation action to continue before the Kumasi High Court.
Background
Samson Anyenini instituted the suit in April 2025 against Abronye, Wontumi Multimedia Company Limited and its programme host, Kwaku Kyeremanteng Nkansah, over statements allegedly broadcast on Wontumi TV and Radio.
The statements reportedly described Samson Anyenini as a thief, dishonest and corrupt. They also allegedly accused him of receiving US$50,000 to use his Newsfile programme to disgrace Member of Parliament Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.
Samson Anyenini has denied the allegations and is seeking substantial damages and other reliefs from the defendants.
However, approximately 18 months after the case commenced, Abronye had yet to file a Statement of Defence responding to the claims, according to the account of the proceedings.
@ghnow_ Hon. Joseph Yammin, NDC National Organiser, and Hon. Mustapha Gbande have announced their intentions to retain their respective positions. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Who ever becomes flagberer of the NDC automatically becomes President 2029 – Hon Joseph Yammin #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
