Andrew Owusu files defence against Dr Lutterodt’s GH¢5m lawsuit

A former Coach of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Dr Andrew Owusu, has filed his defence in a GH¢5 million defamation suit brought against him by a former Chairman of the GAA, Mr George Haldane Lutterodt.

In a 20-paragraph statement of defence submitted by lawyer for the defendant, Kissi Agyabeng to the Fast Track High Court, presided over by Justice Ofori Atta, last Tuesday,  Dr Owusu prayed the court to dismiss the suit of the plaintiff.

In his statement of defence, Dr Owusu contended that he did not attack the plaintiff on radio but merely stated his position in response to comments made by the plaintiff about him and other GAA members that the athletics governing boby was bullying dissenting athletes into submission and creating a climate of fear and a culture of silence among athletes.

The US-based former national athlete also denied accusing Dr Lutterodt of engaging in visa racketeering and contended that he did not oblige the plaintiff's ultimatum to retract his statement because he never accused him of committing that offence. 

Earlier, the lawyer for Mr Lutterodt, Jefferey Quist, had prayed the court to award cost against the defendant for not filing his defence on time.

The judge obliged and awarded a GH¢500 cost against the defendant. The case was later adjourned for the plaintiff to study the statement of defence and file a new motion.

In the run-up to the GAA congress to elect new executives last year, one of the presidential candidates and a former chairman of the association, George Lutterodt, sued Dr Owusu, for accusing him of visa racketeering during his tenure of office.

Mr Lutterodt eventually lost to the incumbent Professor Francis Dodooo by three votes and has since vowed to clear his name to save his hard-won reputation.