The case involving Light House Chapel International (LCI) and investigative journalist Manasseh Azure was adjourned to July 22, 2024, for continuation of the cross-examination.
Manasseh Azure in his publications alleged that LCI failed to pay the SSNIT contributions for certain former pastors for over 42 years s. Additionally, he asserted that LCI forcibly took control of the church buildings from the pastors, who had constructed them using their own funds
Lighthouse Chapel International (LCI) has taken legal action against Manasseh Azure, Director of Media Foundation for West Africa, Sulemana Braimah, and Edwin Appiah, citing defamation and libel.
LCI claims that the articles published by the defendants contain “unwarranted, unfounded, and defamatory” attacks on the church and its founder, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, and seeks redress for the alleged harm caused to its reputation.
Under cross-examination, the witness representing Lighthouse Chapel International (LCI) refuted the allegations made by Manasseh Azure, stating that there was no evidence to substantiate the claim that three church buildings owned by LCI were constructed using the personal funds of former pastors Larry Odonkor, Edward Laryea, and Seth Duncan.
The witness maintained that LCI had sole ownership and responsibility for the buildings, contradicting Azure’s earlier assertions.
“The LCI witness further said that Manasseh and others had no evidence to support the publication that three church buildings owned by LCI and pictured in those articles were rather built with the personal resources of Larry Odonkor, Edward Laryea and Seth Duncan, all former pastors, and the LCI forcibly took over those buildings afterwards.”
The defendants contended in their statement of defence that the suit was “intended to unlawfully fetter and frustrate them (defendants) in their fundamental and constitutional right to speech and of mass media guaranteed in Articles 21 and 162 of the Constitution.”
On June 19, 2024, Mr. Kweku Paintsil, counsel for Lighthouse Chapel International (LCI), cross-examined Manasseh Azure, asking him if he was aware that the constitutional right to press freedom (Article 162) is balanced by the fundamental right to a good reputation (Article 164). Manasseh responded in the affirmative.
Further, Paintsil queried whether Manasseh was aware that his publications accused LCI of failing to pay Social Security contributions for six former pastors who had resigned from the church to which Manasseh also acknowledged.
He answered that “Those were the allegations by the six pastors who resigned and same were also found in the documents they filed in court.”
Manasseh Azure conceded that the documents submitted by the six former pastors were for the court’s consideration and ultimate determination at the trial’s conclusion.
He also acknowledged that he did not expect the trial judge to be obligated to accept his conclusions or opinions, but rather to make an independent assessment based on the evidence presented.
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