South Dayi MP sues Ntim Fordjour for ₵30m over bribery defamation

A legal battle between MPs
Ghana’s political and legal landscape has been stirred by a defamation lawsuit filed by South Dayi MP, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, against fellow legislator, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South. The suit, filed at the High Court, seeks more than GH₵30 million in damages over an alleged defamatory post made on social media.

The allegations: A social media storm
The controversy stems from a May 8, 2025, post made by Rev Fordjour on X (formerly Twitter), where he accused Mr Dafeamekpor—Vice Chair of Parliament’s Subsidiary Legislation Committee—of having questions to answer regarding unspecified payments. Rev Fordjour also insinuated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had benefitted financially while in opposition, suggesting the need for a probe.

Rebuttal and denial
Mr Dafeamekpor, who also serves as the Majority Chief Whip in Parliament, swiftly refuted the claims, labeling them “false and malicious.” He categorically stated that he was not even a member of the said committee at the time of the alleged incident in December 2023, underscoring what he calls a reckless disregard for the truth by his colleague.

Reliefs
In his legal submission, Dafeamekpor is asking the court to declare the post defamatory. He is seeking multiple remedies, including:

A perpetual and interlocutory injunction to prevent further defamatory statements

A full retraction and public apology across print and social media

GH₵30 million in damages—comprising compensatory, aggravated, and punitive elements

Legal costs and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court

The South Dayi MP insists that the publication has severely damaged his reputation, subjected him to ridicule, and led to economic losses.

Digital damage: The lasting impact of online defamation
Dafeamekpor’s suit emphasizes how damaging permanent digital records can be. He argues that the post has not only gone viral but remains accessible, intensifying the reputational harm and eroding public trust in his character and office.

As both MPs belong to opposite sides of the political divide—Rev Fordjour with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Dafeamekpor with the NDC—the case has ignited political commentary nationwide. Legal experts and political analysts are watching closely to see how the judiciary navigates the intersection of free speech, political accountability, and personal reputation.

The outcome could set a significant precedent for social media conduct among public officials in Ghana’s democracy.