The copyright lawsuit against producer Hammer and rapper Obrafour, filed by Mantse Aryeequaye, the founder of the Chalewote Street Art Festival, has been dismissed by Accra High Court.
Mantse had sued rapper Michael Elliot Kwabena Okyere Darko, known by his stage name Obrafour, and producer Edward Nana Poku Osei, better known as Hammer, for allegedly claiming sole ownership of the famous “killer cut blood” phrase used in the popular song “Oye Ohene.”
However, the case was struck out by an Accra High Court, presided over by Justice John Eugene Nyanteh Nyadu, on Thursday, February 15, due to technicalities.
The court observed that Mantse had filed separate claims against the producer and rapper, leading to the dismissal.
The lawyer for Obrafour, Bobby Banson, said in a media interview that he identified the technical loopholes.
“He should not have sued Obrafour and Hammer for different causes of actions (claims), but he did, and the law is the law. So, I asked the case to be struck out, and the court agreed,” he said.
Banson indicated that the defendants had to be treated as separate persons in two separate suits.
He also confirmed that an amount of GH₵10,000 has been awarded against Mantse.
Despite the setback, a spokesperson for the Chalewote Street Art Festival founder, Anny Osabutey, stated that they were undeterred by the court’s decision.
He noted that, despite being a similar case, the court ruled that Obrafour and Hammer had to be sued separately and affirmed their commitment to pursuing the matter.
“I have been informed that a cost of GHS10,000 was awarded against us, but Mantse will go again,” Anny said.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Joyceline Natally Cudjoe
