The Accra High Court has thrown out a defamation case brought by COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ransford Anertey Abbey, widely known as Randy Abbey.

The court struck out the case after finding that it was improperly filed, as it was initiated through COCOBOD’s Legal Department instead of a private lawyer.

The decision was handed down on Monday, January 19, 2026, by Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul Baasit at the High Court, General Jurisdiction 2, in Accra.

Dr Abbey filed the suit on August 26, 2025, in his capacity as an individual against Kwame Baffoe, also called Abronye, accusing him of making broadcasts and publications that he claimed were defamatory and damaging to his reputation.

The action was pursued in Dr Abbey’s personal capacity, seeking compensation for the alleged harm caused to his reputation by the publications.

Despite this, the writ of summons and statement of claim were prepared and filed by COCOBOD’s Legal Department, with the organisation’s Legal Director representing the plaintiff.

The defendant raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the case was invalid because a state institution’s legal department could not legally act for an individual in a personal defamation matter where the institution was not a party to the suit.

When the case came up for ruling, the defendant’s lawyer chose not to proceed with an earlier application after the court granted that option. Justice Abdul Baasit then went ahead to deliver her ruling.

In an extensive decision, the court stated that defamation is a personal wrong (in personam) meant to protect the reputation of an individual, not that of an organisation.

Justice Abdul Baasit explained that even though the alleged publications were linked to Dr Abbey’s position as COCOBOD CEO, the institution was not listed as a party to the case. For that reason, COCOBOD’s Legal Department had no lawful authority to file the writ or act on behalf of Dr Abbey in his personal case.

“The Plaintiff having sued in his personal capacity ought to procure the service of a private legal practitioner to represent him,” the judge ruled.

The court determined that the participation of COCOBOD’s Legal Department made the writ of summons and statement of claim procedurally flawed, since state legal resources cannot be used for matters of a purely personal nature.

Justice Abdul Baasit therefore struck out the writ of summons and statement of claim in full, declaring them incompetent before the court.

The court also directed that no costs should be awarded against either side.

Meanwhile, legal commentators, including lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor, say the ruling affirms long-established principles on the use of public resources and the role of state legal departments, especially in personal actions brought by public officials.

The decision highlights the clear difference between cases filed in an official capacity for a public institution and those pursued personally, even when the issues relate to an official position.

At the time this report was filed, there had been no immediate response from Dr Abbey or his lawyers on whether a new case would be filed with a private lawyer.

The ruling was delivered in open court and has since been certified as a true copy by the High Court registry.

In September last year, Abronye DC, was referred to the NPP's National Disciplinary Committee over alleged misconduct. This was contained in a petition submitted by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong.

According to the letter,  Abronye DC damaged the party’s image and unity, hence the recent development.“Unbecoming of a member” and “gravely detrimental to the image, unity, and integrity of the organisation,” part of the letter read.

The charges against Abronye DC included making derogatory remarks against the party’s flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, where he was said to have stated that ‘even the elephant has more wisdom than Honourable Agyapong.

Additionally, Abronye DC has also been accused of disclosing while manipulating the contents of a disciplinary committee report, which investigated the factors behind the NPP's lost in the 2024 elections. Although the report by the committee has been withheld from the general public.

In a related development, the New Patriotic Party directed petitions against Deputy Director of Communications, Ernest Owusu Bempah, to the National Council for consideration.

This was announced in a statement released by on Tuesday September 24 2025, after the party said it received several petitions from members demanding his removal from office over a conduct of "grave concern”

“The Party reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding discipline, safeguarding its values, and ensuring that all matters are handled with fairness and transparency” the statement signed by the general secretary Justin Kodua indicated. The National Council is the highest decision-making body between congresses.Reacting to the petitions, Mr. Owusu-Bempah noted “All the statements I have made have been about leadership. I said Kennedy Agyapong will deal with galamsey even if it involves his mother or sister. I did not insult anyone”.