Egbert Faibille ‘Exposed’

The Accra based Independent Newspaper edited by Egbert Faibille and Richmond Keelson in an attempt to satisfy their faceless political masters published last week that the Independent Newspaper of London never apologised to former National Security Chief Captain (Rtd) Kojo Tsikata for a defamatory article published by the London paper in 1992 alleging Captain's complicity in the murders.

Contrary to documentary evidence (the statement published by the newspaper in 1998 when it retracted the said defamatory statements), Egbert Faibille and his click while intentionally refusing to publish the said statement accused Captain Tsikata of lying before the NRC when he stated that the London paper apologised to him for their publication.

Faibille's Independent, which has not explained to Ghanaians why it failed to publish the said statement claimed that there was no apology but rather a mere statement (emphasis mine.)

For the avoidance of doubt, please find below the statement that was issued by THE INDEPENDENT of London and draw your own conclusions as to whether it was just a statement, a retraction or apology.

On 18th June 1992, we published an article about the forthcoming elections in Ghana. The article referred to the kidnap and murder of three Ghanaian High Court Judges in June, 1982 and reported the recommendation of a Special Investigation Board, appointed by the Government of Ghana and chaired by a former Chief Justice of Ghana, that 10 people, including Captain (retired) Tsikata should be prosecuted in relation to the murders, as well as the Board's finding that Captain Tsikata has “masterminded” the plot. At the time, Captain Tsikata was head of security and foreign affairs in the Ghana government. The article went on to state that “five people were prosecuted and executed, but not Captain Tsikata.”

Whilst we fairly and accurately reported the former Chief Justice's recommendations, it has been drawn to our attention that the Attorney General of Ghana explained in detail his reasons for concluding that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Captain Tsikata. The sole witness against Captain Tsikata subsequently withdrew his accusation just before his execution for the murders.

Captain Tsikata issued proceedings for defamation against The Independent on 26th March, 1993. On the basis of the publication of this statement, Captain Tsikata has agreed to discontinue them.

The Retraction was published on page 20 of the Independent dated September 29, 1998.

Clearly, Faibille and his folks could have afforded their readers some better analysis of events instead of a rather myopic view of issues and events, jaundiced by political considerations. For instance in their Monday March 22, 2004 edition they have passed judgement on the judges murder and are asking former President Rawlings to accept responsibility for the act. What a childish thing to say, especially coming from a team that is headed by a law student?