Court restrains Shatta Wale

A Fast Track  division of the High Court in Accra last Monday slapped VGMA Artiste of the Year, Shatta Wale with an interlocutory injunction at a hearing of GH¢10 million defamatory suit brought against him by event organising company, Charterhouse.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Charterhouse, Mr Iyiola Ayoade is the second plaintiff in the suit, which is being heard by Mrs. Justice Naa Adoley Azu.  

When the case was called about 9:30 am, Shatta Wale real name Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jnr., was not present in court. His father, Mr. Charles Nii Armah Snr, stood in for him. Shatta Wale’s event manager, Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson popularly known as Bull Dog, was also present.

As soon as the lawyer for the plaintiff, Mr. Egbert Faibille, submitted his argument,  the respondent’s lawyer, Mr. Evans Sey, pleaded for an out of court settlement.

He told the court that he was surprised that lawyer for the plaintiffs, was still making a case for an interlocutory injunction when he had served him with a letter for an out of court settlement.

But Mr Faibille told the court  his side was served with the letter in the courtroom before proceedings began, and that they could not have immediately granted the defence team’s request.

 Mr Faibille argued that the respondent had not shown any remorse for his actions. He said even after he was served with a defamation suit on October 2, 2014, Shatta Wale, went ahead to record a song titled, They Are Broke, which according to the counsel cast further innuendos on the reputation of his clients. 

That, Mr Faibille argued, was not an action of a “repentant soul” and further remarked, “he who seeks for equity must come with clean hands. This is not the conduct of someone who must be ignored”.

According to counsel, Charterhouse, was a multinational company with operations in Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde and for that reason, defamatory phrases like “419” cast a slur on his clients reputation thus giving their competitors an urge over them in their operations.

After hearing the arguments raised by Mr Faibille, the judge restrained Shatta Wale from further casting innuendos and making defamatory statements against Charterhouse.

With the interlocutory injunction, Shatta Wale and his associates are not expected to release anything defamatory against Charterhouse henceforth.

Although Shatta Wale’s lawyer requested for a month for the out of court settlement, Mr Egbert Faibille disagreed and prayed the court for a two week period for the two parties to settle the case. 

Hearing continues on November 3, 2014.

It is recalled that on October 2, 2014, Charterhouse and its CEO filed a lawsuit for defamation against Shatta Wale. They are claiming damages of GH¢ 10 million against Shatta Wale, for what they consider defamatory statements made against them in some videos he recorded and uploaded on Facebook.