Gabby to sue NDC MP for defamation over Agyapa Royalties saga

The president’s relative, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has said he is set to sue NDC MP, Richard Acheampong, for defamation.

The NDC MP for Bia East had said Mr. Otchere-Darko has shares in Agyapa Royalties Ltd, a company involved in a controversial minerals deal.

Parliament approved the Agyapa Mineral Royalties deal despite the Minority’s disapproval. Former President John Dramani Mahama has called for a probe.

The agreement between the government and the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company was approved on August 14 in line with the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Act, 2018 (Act 978).

The approval will enable the country to use a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Agyapa Royalties Limited, to secure about $1 billion to finance large infrastructural projects.

Without providing any proof, Mr Acheampong linked Agyapa Royalties Limited, formerly known as Asaase to the Asaase FM radio station which Mr. Otchere-Darko is the majority shareholder.

Mr Otchere-Darko, also a private legal practitioner, is appalled at the linkage and says he has instructed his lawyers to institute legal action.

“An MP has falsely accused me of being a beneficial owner of Agyapa Royalties, formerly Asaase Royalties, an entity registered both here in Ghana and Jersey, a British dependent, for the purposes of an anticipated listing on the London Stock Exchange.

“I am serving notice that I have instructed my lawyers to sue the MP for Bia East, Richard Acheampong for defamation”.

He explained that: “Agyapa Royalties is 100% owned by a body set up by an Act of Parliament, where the MP earns his income. That body is the Minerals Income Investment Fund set up in 2018, (Act 978), which is 100% state-owned.

Below is a post by Mr Otchere-Darko on the development: