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REPUBLIC v. LIBERTY PRESS LTD. AND OTHERS

February 5, 1968

HIGH COURT

GHANA

CORAM

  • AKUFO-ADDO C.J

Areas of Law

  • Criminal Law and Procedure
  • Civil Procedure
  • Media Law

AI Generated Summary

Chief Justice Akufo-Addo adjudicated contempt proceedings initiated by the Attorney-General against Liberty Press Ltd., the Legon Society on National Affairs (28 professors and lecturers from the University of Ghana), and editor Edward Yaw Twumasi for printing and publishing in the Legon Observer an article titled "Justice delayed is justice denied" criticizing judicial handling of the prosecution and appeal of Henry K. Djaba, F.Y. Asare, and J. Quartey. The court rejected jurisdictional and procedural objections, holding that within Ghanas unified Supreme Court of Judicature, the High Court can punish contempt even when an appeal is pending and may proceed summarily. Substantively, the court found the article to be a blatant contempt, containing statements that scandalised the courts and risked interference with pending proceedings. Emphasizing that the press enjoys no special freedom beyond general expression rights, the court ordered sanctions: a Na2100 fine for Twumasi, costs of Na2100 for all contemnors except Liberty Press, and publication of an apology signed by contemnors 230.

JUDGEMENT