The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Agyapong (Ken Agyapong), has dragged US-based Ghanaian social media maverick, Kevin Taylor, and his media company, Loud Silence to court over alleged defamatory comments made against him.
Ken Agyapong is seeking USD $9.5 million in damages against Taylor.
In a 15-page document filed at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the MP said his suit was influenced by a series of, “false and defamatory statements in a series of videos and an email correspondence published by Defendants (Kevin Taylor and Loud Silence Media) via Facebook, YouTube, and other social media platforms about Plaintiff”
He said the defendant, Kevin Taylor and his organization had on several occasions referred to the plaintiff as a “murderer, drug dealer, and drug addict, thief, and green card fraudster”.
“The factual background given in support of the action states among others that the defendants till date continue to repeat these false and defamatory statements about Plaintiff on their social media platforms and other news outlets or platforms have also shared or republished Defendants’ false statements.
“These false and defamatory statements have caused severe harm to Plaintiff’s personal, business, and political reputation. Plaintiff has also suffered severe embarrassment and personal humiliation due to Defendants’ defamatory statements” portions of the suit said.
Mr. Agyapong’s suit further contends that “Defendants’ factual assertions to the contrary are false, offensive and damages the reputation of Plaintiff as an MP.”
Seven reliefs
Accordingly, the Mr Ken Agyapong is seeking seven reliefs from the Virginia court.
First, an injunctive relief prohibiting Defendants, and each of them, from posting on any media outlet any further defamatory remarks, per se or otherwise”.
Second, “an apology from Defendants’ via and through the same channels Defendants used to defame Plaintiff including LSM social media platforms and email correspondence sent to individuals, including the mayor of Worcester”.
Third, “compensatory damages, including economic and non-economic damages of at least $9,500,000.000 and fourthly, “punitive damages in the amount of $350,000.00 pursuant to Va. Code § 8.01-38.1.
For the fifth, sixth and seventh reliefs, Mr Agyapong is praying that “Attorneys’ fees, or consideration of such fees in determining punitive damages, costs, of this action and disbursements, to the extent permitted by law, Pre- and post-judgment interest; and Such other or further relief as the court deems just”.
Kevin Taylor is notoriously known for attacking persons in positions of power.
While some love him for what he does, others are of the view that he is more of a nuisance and basically a character assassinator.
