Ghana’s Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has made a surprising legal retreat after withdrawing his GH¢2 million defamation lawsuit against Eric Adjei, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP).
The unexpected development unfolded at the Achimota Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, bringing an end to the legal proceedings that had attracted attention within Ghana’s political circles.
Lawyers representing Afenyo-Markin, led by Paa Kwesi Abaidoo, informed the court of their client’s decision to discontinue the lawsuit following discussions between the two parties.
The legal team representing Eric Adjei subsequently confirmed that engagements had taken place, prompting the presiding judge to strike out the case as withdrawn.
What Triggered the GH¢2 Million Legal Battle?
The defamation dispute originated from allegations of extortion involving Afenyo-Markin, which Adjei reportedly repeated during a heated political controversy.
The accusations emerged after the Minority Leader publicly criticised the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and its Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, concerning alleged financial losses under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
Afenyo-Markin challenged the allegations through legal action, seeking GH¢2 million in damages over what he considered defamatory statements.
However, the latest courtroom development suggests that both parties are now pursuing a more conciliatory approach rather than continuing their confrontation in court.
Lawyers Move Towards Amicable Settlement
Speaking after the proceedings, Eric Adjei’s lawyer, Gideon Koku Abotsi, explained that the withdrawal followed advice from a High Court judge encouraging the parties to settle their differences outside the courtroom.
The discussions between both legal teams reportedly helped create the conditions for the withdrawal.
The development follows another legal setback for Afenyo-Markin after the Accra High Court struck out his separate GH¢15 million defamation lawsuit against Sammy Gyamfi on October 14, 2026, over procedural defects in the originating court documents.
Although the GH¢2 million lawsuit has officially been withdrawn, details of any final settlement agreement between Afenyo-Markin and Eric Adjei have not been publicly disclosed.
The court’s decision to strike out the suit does not establish whether the original allegations were true or defamatory.
For now, the withdrawal marks a significant shift in a politically sensitive dispute, with attention turning to whether the two sides will formally announce a lasting resolution.
