By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, July 6, GNA – Mr Larry Alans-Dogbey, Editor of The Herald newspaper, has filed an appeal against his conviction and seven-day custodial sentence for contempt of court.
Mr Alans-Dogbey, the second defendant in a civil suit brought by businessman Mr Kevin Okyere and Springfield Exploration and Production Limited, was convicted by the General Jurisdiction Division of the Accra High Court on June 25, 2026.
Justice Isaac Addo found him guilty of breaching an interlocutory injunction.
In a notice of appeal filed on July 1, 2026, counsel for the appellant, Mr Peter Okudzeto, outlined 13 grounds challenging both the conviction and sentence.
He argued that the case raised significant constitutional issues relating to freedom of expression and media freedom.
The appeal contended that the interlocutory injunction, issued in June 2025, unlawfully restrained publication of statements “intended to undermine and tarnish” Mr Okyere’s reputation before any determination had been made on whether the publications were defamatory.
It argued that the order amounted to an unconstitutional prior restraint on free expression and effectively determined the substantive defamation dispute despite the trial judge indicating otherwise when granting the injunction.
The appeal also argued that the injunction was too vague to be enforceable, noting that the trial judge himself acknowledged during the contempt proceedings that aspects of the order were vague.
It maintained that a person should not be imprisoned for breaching an order whose meaning and scope are uncertain.
Mr Okudzeto said the publications complained of were based on official documents, including a petition submitted to the Economic and Organised Crime Office, correspondence from the Ministry of Energy and documents from proceedings before a United Kingdom court.
He said that the reports were published following the Supreme Court’s February 2026 decision in the case involving Stena Unicon Offshore Services Ghana Limited and Springfield Exploration and Production Limited.
The appeal emphasised that Mr Okyere, as a businessman involved in transactions concerning state oil and gas assets, is a public figure whose activities are subject to legitimate public scrutiny.
It also alleged that a WhatsApp screenshot relied upon by the respondent as proof of service of court processes was fabricated.
Counsel said Mr Alans-Dogbey neither knew the individual alleged to have served the processes nor owned the telephone number used, and maintained that, if established, the alleged conduct would amount to a fraud on the court.
The applicant is therefore asking the Court to allow the appeal, set aside the contempt conviction and quash the seven-day custodial sentence imposed by the High Court.
He is also seeking a declaration that the interlocutory injunction dated June 11, 2025, was void and of no legal effect, together with an order setting it aside.
In the alternative, the applicant requested the Court to substitute any custodial sentence with a non-custodial punishment if the conviction is upheld, and prayed for any additional orders the Court may consider appropriate.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku