‘Desist from making unmeritorious defamatory claims against Asaase Radio’ — Ablakwa told

Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited has issued a strong rebuttal to claims made by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa about the ownership of its premises.

In a statement released on Monday, September 2, Asaase Broadcasting said Mr Ablakwa's "unfounded accusations" that the radio station had unlawfully acquired what used to be state property were "false and misleading."

The company said its property at Number 7, 5th Circular Road in Cantonments, Accra, was initially acquired through a lease by one Mr Fosuaba Mensah Banahene in July 2006 from former President Kufuor.

It was later assigned to Lilly Homes Ltd through a "legitimate assignment of interest" and a tenancy agreement with Lilly Homes allows Asaase Radio to occupy the building.

"Lilly Homes Limited obtained the property through a legitimate assignment of interest from Mr. Banahene with the Lands Commission's consent dated 15th July 2020 and has held the property lawfully and without any legal encumbrance," the statement reads in part.

Asaase Broadcasting further said the property had never been occupied by a judge, contrary to claims by Ablakwa.

It urged the North Tongu MP "to desist from making further unmeritorious defamatory claims against Asaase Radio," adding that his rushing of "unverified claims undermines the principles of truth and integrity."

In his social media post on Sunday, Ablakwa had claimed the Judicial Service was in court to reclaim the Asaase Radio building, insisting its sale was "unconstitutional and unlawful."

He alleged the property has "strong familial ties" to Gabby Otchere-Darko, a prominent director of Asaase Broadcasting Company Limited.