High Court bars investigative journalist from publishing on private individual, imposes GH¢10,000 cost
A High Court in Accra (Human Rights Division), presided over by Justice Nana Brew, has placed a perpetual injunction on freelance investigative journalist Innocent Samuel Appiah, restraining him from publishing or further disseminating allegations against private individual Cynthia Adjei, following a privacy breach suit.
In addition to the injunction, the court awarded costs of GH¢10,000 against the journalist.
The ruling effectively bars Mr Appiah from pursuing any investigative publications or commentary linked to the subject matter of the case—whether directly or indirectly—across both traditional and digital media platforms.
In delivering the decision, Justice Brew held that while press freedom is constitutionally guaranteed, it is not absolute and must be exercised within the bounds of the law, particularly where individual rights and reputational interests are concerned.
The court emphasises that journalists have a responsibility to act with due diligence and within established legal and institutional frameworks.
The judge further noted that investigative journalists should channel allegations of criminal conduct to state institutions such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Ghana Police Service, rather than unilaterally publishing potentially harmful claims.
Although the court refused the plaintiff’s request for damages, it found that the journalist’s actions exposed the plaintiff to reputational harm and granted the injunction to prevent further damage. The award of costs, the ruling explained, reflects the seriousness of the breach and the consequences arising from the publication.
Background
In June 2025, Justice Brew had granted an interlocutory injunction to Cynthia Adjei, CEO of Lysaro Group, preventing Mr. Appiah from publishing a report on alleged unethical practices and potential conflicts of interest within the company.
The case arose after Mr. Appiah sent a detailed questionnaire to Mrs. Adjei, seeking information on concerns about Lysaro Group’s business operations, including land acquisitions, contract awards, and tax compliance. Instead of responding, Mrs. Adjei opted to seek legal intervention to block the report’s publication.
In granting the injunction, the judge cited the need to protect Mrs. Adjei’s “fundamental human rights” and the “fear she has in the publication.” The judge further noted that the “balance of convenience” favored the plaintiff, as damages would not suffice if the report were published—even though the story had not yet been written.
Mrs. Adjei maintains that she is a private individual who has never held public office. However, the journalist highlighted that her husband previously served as Group Chief Finance Officer and later acting Managing Director at GOIL GH. Plc before leaving office this year. It is also alleged that Lysaro Group secured contracts from GOIL and the Students Loan Trust Fund, where her husband served as Board Chairman, making her a politically exposed person.
Mr. Appiah did not publish any story against Mrs. Adjei but had only posed questions through private messages and letters as part of standard verification procedures prior to publication.
The ruling has sparked debate within media and legal circles, with press freedom advocates expressing concern over its implications for investigative journalism, while others argue it underscores the importance of responsible and lawful reporting.
The case contributes to ongoing national conversations about the limits of press freedom, the protection of individual rights, and the role of the courts in balancing public interest journalism with personal reputation.
A High Court in Accra (Human Rights Division), presided over by Justice Nana Brew, has placed a perpetual injunction on freelance investigative journalist Innocent Samuel Appiah, restraining him from publishing or further disseminating allegations against private individual Cynthia Adjei, following a privacy breach suit.
In addition to the injunction, the court awarded costs of GH¢10,000 against the journalist.
The ruling effectively bars Mr Appiah from pursuing any investigative publications or commentary linked to the subject matter of the case—whether directly or indirectly—across both traditional and digital media platforms.
In delivering the decision, Justice Brew held that while press freedom is constitutionally guaranteed, it is not absolute and must be exercised within the bounds of the law, particularly where individual rights and reputational interests are concerned.
The court emphasises that journalists have a responsibility to act with due diligence and within established legal and institutional frameworks.
The judge further noted that investigative journalists should channel allegations of criminal conduct to state institutions such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Ghana Police Service, rather than unilaterally publishing potentially harmful claims.
Although the court refused the plaintiff’s request for damages, it found that the journalist’s actions exposed the plaintiff to reputational harm and granted the injunction to prevent further damage. The award of costs, the ruling explained, reflects the seriousness of the breach and the consequences arising from the publication.
Background
In June 2025, Justice Brew had granted an interlocutory injunction to Cynthia Adjei, CEO of Lysaro Group, preventing Mr. Appiah from publishing a report on alleged unethical practices and potential conflicts of interest within the company.
The case arose after Mr. Appiah sent a detailed questionnaire to Mrs. Adjei, seeking information on concerns about Lysaro Group’s business operations, including land acquisitions, contract awards, and tax compliance. Instead of responding, Mrs. Adjei opted to seek legal intervention to block the report’s publication.
In granting the injunction, the judge cited the need to protect Mrs. Adjei’s “fundamental human rights” and the “fear she has in the publication.” The judge further noted that the “balance of convenience” favored the plaintiff, as damages would not suffice if the report were published—even though the story had not yet been written.
Mrs. Adjei maintains that she is a private individual who has never held public office. However, the journalist highlighted that her husband previously served as Group Chief Finance Officer and later acting Managing Director at GOIL GH. Plc before leaving office this year. It is also alleged that Lysaro Group secured contracts from GOIL and the Students Loan Trust Fund, where her husband served as Board Chairman, making her a politically exposed person.
Mr. Appiah did not publish any story against Mrs. Adjei but had only posed questions through private messages and letters as part of standard verification procedures prior to publication.
The ruling has sparked debate within media and legal circles, with press freedom advocates expressing concern over its implications for investigative journalism, while others argue it underscores the importance of responsible and lawful reporting.
The case contributes to ongoing national conversations about the limits of press freedom, the protection of individual rights, and the role of the courts in balancing public interest journalism with personal reputation.
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