The High Court in Accra has given lawyers representing Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), 24 hours to submit a medical excuse justifying his absence in a GH¢ 20 million defamation case filed by former Auditor-General, Professor Dua Agyeman.

Asiedu Nketia allegedly made comments implying that Prof. Dua Agyeman fabricated audit reports, leading to his dismissal by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG).

Asiedu Nketia, who has not appeared in court since the case began in October 2018, was supposed to commence his defense on July 1 but failed to appear, citing illness.

His legal team requested a brief adjournment today (July 3) due to traffic delays preventing timely submission of the medical excuse.

Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay expressed dissatisfaction with the excuse, remarking that despite adverse weather conditions, the court was still in session.

She ordered Asiedu Nketia's lawyers to submit the medical excuse by tomorrow morning (July 4).

The case has been adjourned to July 5, 2024.

Prof. Dua Agyeman seeks various declarations that the statements made by Asiedu Nketia were slanderous and defamatory, requesting an injunction against further defamatory remarks, retractions, apologies, and compensation totaling GH¢20 million for reputational damage.