[2013]DLCA8146 • July 25, 2013 • Court of Appeal
TORNYE AMEDUME vs. JULIET ASANTE AND EAGLE PRODUCTION
The plaintiff, Tornye Amedume, was contracted by Amal Plastics Limited to star in a television advertisement for plastic ceiling materials. The 2nd defendant, Eagle Production, was engaged to shoot the advert which aired on Metro TV. Without the plaintiff's consent, the defendants published four photographs from the advert in their magazine 'Entertainment Today' under the caption 'getting a man attracted to you'. The plaintiff alleged the publication was libelous, suggesting she solicited or seduced men, damaging her reputation and causing emotional distress. She also claimed invasion of privacy and constitutional rights due to unauthorized use of her images, which remained on sale for over eight months despite her objections.
read moreOFOE, J.A: This judgment will be clearer and better appreciated if We set out the gist of the case of the parties as disclosed in their pleadings. The plaintiff, briefly stated, is asking for general damages including aggravated damages against the defendants for a libelous publication in the defendant’s magazine “Entertainment Today”. The 1st defendant is the Editor and the 2nd defendant the publisher and a film making company. The 2nd defendant is also engaged in shooting for advertisements for various companies. It is the case of the plaintiff that she was contracted by Amal Plastics Limited to star in a television advertisement. The 2nd defendant was only to shoot for a Metro T.V advert and indeed the advert was aired some number of times on this station. The T.V advert was meant for the sole purpose of advertising plastic ceiling materials for Amal Plastics Limited and no other purpose. It is the case of the plaintiff that without her consent and permission the defendant’...