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13 family members behind bars, fined GH¢650,000 for contempt
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Thirteen members of a family in the Ashanti Region have been put behind bars after the Asante Mampong High Court fined each of them GH¢50,000 for contempt.
They were alleged to have defied a court injunction and gone ahead to conduct an Islamic marriage ceremony involving a woman who was still legally married to another man.
The ruling, delivered by Justice William Boampong after a two-year legal battle, brought to a dramatic end a domestic dispute that traversed both the traditional court of the Asantehemaa at Manhyia and the High Court, culminating in their imprisonment.
At the time of filing this report on Monday, the 13 family members were still behind bars for their inability to pay the fine.
At the centre of the storm is Hajia Alima Issah, the fourth wife of Alhaji Abass — a businessman widely known in the region as “Alhaji Abass Transport.” The couple share five children.
According to court records, Hajia Issah left the matrimonial home to visit her parents, and approximately one month later, her family facilitated her marriage to another man, notwithstanding her existing union with Alhaji Abass.
The family was served with a High Court injunction but the Court records showed that they proceeded with the ceremony and found them guilty of wilfully disobeying its lawful order.
Upon learning of the development, Alhaji Abass first took the matter to the traditional court of the Asantehemaa, which reportedly issued an injunction restraining Hajia Issah’s family from facilitating any new marriage.
Alhaji Abass then filed an application at the Asante Mampong High Court, which granted an injunction against the proposed marriage, a move that was served on the family members by officials of the court.
That notwithstanding, the family allegedly proceeded to supervise and conduct the Islamic marriage ceremony between Hajia Issah and her new husband.
The court subsequently cited 13 family members for contempt of court, accusing them of wilfully disobeying its lawful order.
Justice Boampong, delivering judgment on the matter, found all 13 respondents guilty and imposed a fine of GH¢50,000 on each. Those who failed to pay the fine faced a 30-day custodial sentence, to be served ahead of the hearing of the substantive case.
Three of the cited respondents did not appear before the court for the ruling, forcing Justice Boampong to issue a bench warrants for their arrest.
The 13 convicted family members were taken into custody following the ruling and remained behind bars at the time of filing the report, as relatives and associates reportedly moved around to raise the funds required to secure their release.
With each fine set at GH¢50,000, the aggregate sum owed by the group amounts to GH¢650,000.The substantive case, which concerns the validity of the competing marriages and the rights of the parties involved, is yet to be heard.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
