Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has dared former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman to proceed to court over state capture allegations the MP has levelled.
Freddie Blay at a press conference on June 15, 2024, demanded an apology from Ablakwa, journalist Johnnie Hughes and management of Media General within seven days or he goes to court.
The issue in contention has to do with Ablakwa's publications alleging that Blay's son was engaged in an attempt to 'steal' land belong to state-owned Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.
"I feel very defamed; where my sons are operating is not part of the Labadi Beach Hotel. It is their property, and it's unfortunate that Ablakwa and Johnnie are making it look like I have stolen the lands, making people call me a thief.
"I give Okudzeto Ablakwa and the TV3 management, including Johnnie Hughes, one week to render an apology to me and my family, or I go to court," he said.
In a response to the top NPP man, Ablakwa posted a message on X on June 16, 2024.
"I cannot retract the truth, Mr. Freddy Blay. Since you are getting no retraction from me, please go to court now — don’t wait for one week.
"After our Tuesday, 18th June, 2024 ‘Hands Off our Hotels Demonstration’ — Ghanaians should expect more unimpeachable exposés on how the Labadi Beach Hotel lost control over its beachfront to the Blay brothers. We shall not be intimidated in our determination to fight state capture," his post read in part.
I cannot retract the truth, Mr. Freddy Blay.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) June 16, 2024
Since you are getting no retraction from me, please go to court now — don’t wait for one week.
After our Tuesday, 18th June, 2024 ‘Hands Off our Hotels Demonstration’ — Ghanaians should expect more unimpeachable exposés on how the… pic.twitter.com/i04n3Hu0yK
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