The court presided over by Mr Justice Dennis D. Adjei, an Appeal Court Judge sitting additionally as a High Court, gave the interlocutory injunction following a writ filed by Mr Chris A. Ackummey, Counsel for Mr Paes.

The writ is for perpetual injunction against the defendants from further publishing or causing to be published any defamatory matter or matters concerning the plaintiff both in Ghana and outside Ghana.

Other reliefs being sought are punitive and exemplary damages for defaming the plaintiff through the publication of frivolous and defamatory materials, a retraction and apology to the plaintiff in respect of all the publications made by the defendants or caused to be made by them in all the newspapers or television stations both in Ghana and outside Ghana which carried the said defamatory stories.

In a statement of claim, the plaintiff, a Dutch national, businessman and owner of African Royal beach Hotel at Nungua in Accra said the first defendant is also a Dutch national and married to the second defendant, all resident in Ghana and former employees of the plaintiff.

It said due to gross mismanagement of affairs at the hotel, misappropriation of funds and other fraudulent activities, the plaintiff dismissed the two defendants.

As a result they initially attempted to eliminate the plaintiff physically but when they were exposed, they resorted to damaging the reputation, character and integrity of the plaintiff by framing him up for defilement against a child he took charge from her infancy at eight years and took care of her schooling.

The statement said the defendants reported the matter to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and it was currently under investigations.

Not satisfied with the proceedings, the defendants extended their act of vilification into media publications in Holland and Belgium, the statement indicated.

GNA