Former Board Chairman of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Gary Nimako Marfo, has filed a defamation suit at the High Court (General Jurisdiction), Accra, against four journalists and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), operators of The Fourth Estate, over a publication he says was intended to tarnish his reputation.
The writ, dated September 30, 2025, lists as defendants Seth J. Bokpe, Sulemana Braimah, William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, Philip Teye Agbove, and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
The suit follows a story published under the headline, “Lottery Bonanza: How NLA gave away GHC3 billion prime business in exchange for peanuts”, which appeared on The Fourth Estate’s website. According to the plaintiff, the publication was defamatory, ill-motivated, and calculated to bring him into public ridicule.
In his statement of claim, Mr. Nimako said: “The banner headline and the story were actuated by malice, deliberate, calculated and jaundice motive of the Defendants and same was clearly evidenced in the manner in which the publication was carried out to cause public disaffection, ridicule, and reduce the image and hard won reputation of the Plaintiff.”
He further argued that the report was misleading because at the time he was appointed as NLA Board Chairman in March 2024, the licensing arrangement with KGL Technologies Ltd. had already been approved by the Board. “The Defendants lack of proper checks and due diligence on whatsoever information they received clearly shows that they were not even aware that at the time the Plaintiff was appointed Board Chairman of NLA in March, 2024, KGL Technologies Ltd had already been granted a license,” the writ states.
Mr. Nimako also contended that the publication falsely suggested that he and the Board had compromised the financial interests of the NLA. He insisted that the arrangement with KGL Technologies was a strategic collaboration that rescued the Authority from financial decline. “The Board at all material times acted in good faith and took into consideration the financial sustainability and stability of NLA,” he argued.
The plaintiff is seeking several reliefs including:
• A declaration that the publication was defamatory.
• An order directing the defendants to pay GHC10 million in damages.
• An order compelling the defendants to retract and apologize with the same prominence given to the original publication.
• Costs, including legal fees.
According to the writ, failure of the defendants to enter appearance within eight days of service may result in judgment being entered against them in default.
The case has been filed under Suit No. CPA 3004/2025 at the High Court, Accra.
Attached below is a copy:
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
