Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, has been ordered by the High Court in Accra to pay 50% of the over 1 million Ghana cedi judgment debt awarded against him as compensation for malicious prosecution within 30 days.
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This decision came after the Court, presided over by Justice Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, granted Gyan’s request for a stay of execution as he sought to appeal the judgment.
On December 8, 2023, the Court ruled in favor of entertainment journalist Osarfo Anthony in a case of malicious prosecution and ordered Gyan to compensate him with over a million cedis in damages.
Almost five months later, Gyan and his lawyers filed a stay of execution and a notice of appeal to challenge the judgment.
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On May 8, 2024, Justice Owusu-Dapaa, after hearing arguments from both parties’ lawyers, granted Gyan’s request for a stay of execution pending appeal. However, he ordered Gyan to pay half of the judgment amount before the appeal proceeds.
The Court further directed that the money be paid to the court’s registrar within 30 days from May 8, excluding weekends and public holidays. The Registrar is to invest the sum in the government’s 182-day treasury bill pending the outcome of the appeal.
In his ruling, Justice Owusu-Dapaa emphasized the fairness of the decision for both parties. He noted that if Gyan succeeds on appeal, he would not have to worry about the respondent’s ability to refund the judgment debt. Conversely, the respondent is protected from the risk of Gyan being unable to pay the judgment debt if he loses the appeal.
The Court also clarified that if Gyan fails to comply with the order to pay 50% of the judgment debt within the stipulated 30 days, the plaintiff/respondent may proceed with full execution of the judgment debt.
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