Tony Lithur Enters Appearance, Seeks Dismissal in Nana Oye’s $1.5m Libel Suit

Tony Lithur, a prominent lawyer, has taken steps to challenge a defamation lawsuit brought against him by his former wife, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, a former gender minister, seeking $1.5 million in damages.

In documents filed in April 2024, Nana Oye, who is also a lawyer, alleges defamatory statements made by her former husband in their divorce petition filed years ago.

Lithur, in his notice of appearance filed on May 14, 2024, is seeking “an order dismissing or staying or striking out Plaintiff’s (Nana Oye) writ of Summons and Statement of claim.”

According to reports from Accra-based Starr FM, the motion of appearance was filed in accordance with order 11 rules 18(1)(a)/(b)/(d) and is scheduled to be heard on May 27, 2024.

In his filings, Lithur outlined three grounds for seeking dismissal, stay, or striking out of the case.

“Take Notice that Plaintiff shall move the Honourable Court for an order dismissing or staying or striking out Plaintiff’s Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim filed on April 25, 2024, on grounds (a) that they do not disclose a reasonable cause of action against Defendant; and or (b) that same are frivolous and vexatious; and/or (c) that they constitute abuse of process of the Court; “And for such further order(s) as the Court may deem,” he stated.

At the center of the lawsuit is the “alleged malicious contents of the divorce petition Mr. Lithur filed on May 2, 2018, to end their 27-year-old marriage,” as reported by The Chronicle newspaper.

Nana Oye claims that the divorce petition has caused reputational damage to her both domestically and internationally.

She further alleges that the divorce petition has resulted in public hatred, ridicule, and disrepute against her.

“The divorce petition, which was widely reported by the media, portrayed the Plaintiff as a lazy, irresponsible mother, adulterous, cruel, and violent person, as well as engaged in acts that contradict her professional ethics as a human rights lawyer. These claims, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo says have maliciously injured her image.

“In reference to the divorce petition, the former minister said her ex-husband accused her, as a human rights lawyer, of an act of cruelty and violence including pouring water, beating, slapping, and using her fingernails to harm their domestic staff,” excerpts from the suit stated.