(CEMESP/IFEX) – The sixth judicial Circuit court in Monrovia has summoned the management of one of Liberia’s weekly newspapers, “The Telegraph”. The Court’s summons follows a libel lawsuit filed against the newspaper by the managing director of the Liberia Refinery Company (LPRC), Harry Greaves. Director Greaves is a member of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s inner […]
(CEMESP/IFEX) – The sixth judicial Circuit court in Monrovia has summoned the management of one of Liberia’s weekly newspapers, “The Telegraph”.
The Court’s summons follows a libel lawsuit filed against the newspaper by the managing director of the Liberia Refinery Company (LPRC), Harry Greaves. Director Greaves is a member of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s inner circle.
According to the writ of summons issued on 26 April 2006, the Court ordered the newspaper’s managing editor Aldolphus Karnuah to appear before it to answer to the petition of plaintiff Greaves. The writ further indicates that upon failure of “The Telegraph” to make its appearance, judgment by default will be rendered.
The lawsuit comes in the wake of what Greaves referred to as defamatory statements published by “The Telegraph” on 13 April, in an article entitled, “Greaves, LPRC, Telegraph Draw Battle Lines -A case of Witch hunt”.
The newspaper reported quoting Director Greaves as threatening not to interact or do business with the paper.
Greaves is claiming $US 1 million in compensation in his claim that the publication injured his reputation, integrity and exposed him to public scandal and embarrassment; this amount, if rewarded, will obviously cost the newspaper its survival, thereby limiting free expression in Liberia.
“The Telegraph” is to be represented by Adolphus Karnuah and is scheduled to appear before the courts before 6 May.
Counselor John Caranda of the Caranda and Sons Law firm is representing the legal interest of the LPRC Managing Director, while Adolphus Karnuah, who graduated from law school two months ago, is quoted as saying his entity, “The Telegraph”, cannot afford to pay for legal representation.
