Archbishop Duncan-Williams threatens legal action against news website over defamatory publication
Lawyers for Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams have threatened legal action against GhanaCelebrities.com over a defamatory article published on its site.
The article, dated October 6, 2024, alleged that the Archbishop's son had exposed a private conversation between Duncan-Williams and several pastors concerning Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's presidential ambitions.
In a strongly worded letter from Sustineri Attorneys, the law firm, claims the publication is entirely fabricated and malicious.
They argue that the false information was deliberately spread to tarnish the Archbishop's reputation. According to the letter, the story, which was widely shared on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, falsely portrayed Duncan-Williams as a divisive figure inciting hatred based on religion.
The legal team has demanded a retraction and an unqualified apology from GhanaCelebrities.com, to be published three times consecutively on the website.
If the publication fails to comply within 48 hours, the Archbishop's lawyers have made it clear that they will pursue legal action for defamation, seeking both general and exemplary damages.
Below is a copy of the letter:
15th October 2024
The Editor
Ghana Celebrities.Com Accra
Dear Editor,
DEMAND FOR A RETRACTION AND AN UNQUALIFIED APOLOGY FOR DEFAMATORY PUBLICATION
1. We represent and hold the firm instructions of His Eminence Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, (“our client”) and write to you in respect of your defamatory publication concerning our client.
2. Our client is the Founder and General Overseer of Nicholas Duncan Williams Ministries, Action Chapel International and a highly revered Christian leader in Ghana and the world at large.
3. Our client’s attention has been drawn to a publication on your website (www.ghanacelebrity.com) on 6th October 2024 with the headline “Duncan Williams Son Exposes Him By Revealing A Secret Conversation He Had With Pastors Concerning Dr Bawumia His Presidential Ambition”.
4. We are informed that the said publication was widely shared and circulated on various social media platforms including Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).
5. We put it to you that the said publication in its entirety is totally contrived and false. Neither our client nor his son has ever made the said irresponsible statement that you have attributed to them in the said publication.
6. This publication by you is not only defamatory but malicious and vexatious, as you knew and/or ought to have known, that there was no factual basis whatsoever for same.
7. We find that the said publication is deliberately calculated to smear our client’s hard- earned reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of society and subject him to public opprobrium.
8. As a matter of fact, your publication was meant to be understood and was in fact understood to mean that our client is a divisive character who is preaching hatred for a particular Presidential Candidate on grounds of his religion.
9. In the circumstances, we are instructed by our client to demand from you, which we hereby do, that you unreservedly retract the said publication and render an unqualified apology to our client within 48 hours upon receipt of this letter by making three(3) consecutive publications on www.ghanacelebrity.com and thereafter cease forthwith from publishing or causing to be published, circulated and/or otherwise distributed same or similar publications about and/or in any other manner concerning our client.
10. Be advised that should you fail to comply with this request, we have our client’s clear instructions to commence legal action against you and shall demand from you, general and exemplary damages for defamation of character, cost of legal action including legal fees.
11. It is our hope and advice that you comply with this request forthwith. Do not underestimate our resolve to vindicate the reputation, and integrity of our client in the manner aforementioned.
12.The undersigned, who is reachable on 0243717144 and on email via richard@sustineriattorneys.com holds instructions for the conduct of this matter and should be contacted in respect of the contents of this letter.
Yours in the Interest of Justice,
Richard Nunekpeku
CC. His Eminence Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams