Retired Ghanaian professional footballer Asamoah Gyan has been directed by the Accra High Court to compensate GH₵1 million for the wrongful prosecution of well-known Ghanaian journalist Osarfo Anthony.
This development follows Gyan’s initial legal action against Anthony Sarfo, Chris Handler, Sarah Kwablah, and Ekow Micah, accusing them of extortion related to the publication of an alleged sexual assault involving Gyan and a young woman named Sarah Kwablah.
Subsequently, the four individuals sued by Gyan were declared not guilty after their arrest, leading to their acquittal on March 20, 2019. Anthony Sarfo then counterclaimed against Gyan and his manager Sammy Anim Addo, alleging malicious prosecution and seeking GH₵1 million in damages.
On December 8, 2023, Justice Ernest Owusu Dapaa of the Accra High Court announced the verdict, finding the former Black Stars Captain and his manager guilty of falsely implicating the four individuals in extortion and their unjustified arrest.
Reports indicate that the Accra High Court noted Gyan’s legal action was not driven by the publication but rather aimed at safeguarding his reputation and facilitating a transfer to a football club in China at that time.
In conclusion, the Court awarded Osarfo Anthony GH¢ 900,000 in damages, GH₵ 111,000 for the 111 months he was out of work, which paid him GH₵ 1,000 at the time. Also, Asamoah Gyan and his manager were charged GH¢60,000 by the Court, bringing the total to GH₵ 1,071,000.