Abraham Boakye loses case as court rules Afrisat/Midsea brokered Glo deal for Ghana FA
An Accra High Court has ruled that Afrisat/Midsea brokered the sponsorship agreement between telecommunications outfit, Globacom and the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The decision effectively puts to rest claims by ABN Marketing Limited led by Abraham Boakye, popularly called “One Man Supporter” to the right to an agency fee for brokering the deal that saw the telecommunications company landing the headline sponsors title of the Premier League and the Black Stars.
Presiding Judge Richard Adjei Frimpong on Friday ruled that his findings discovered Afrisat, as the agency that negotiated the deal other than ABN Marketing Limited, which Boakye sought to claim.
According to him, Boakye in all his dealings acted as agent of Globacom, whom he represents as their Ambassador, other than the GFA and cannot lay any claim to negotiating the sponsorship agreement.
In finding out whose act eventually caused the signing of the agreement, the court said Boakye, founder of the Ghana National Supporters Union (GHANSU), indeed introduced Globacom to the GFA, but had no hand in the sponsorship.
The judgement was heavily premised on the testimony by Kolawole Bello, Advertising Manager of Globacom at the time and played an active role in the process.
The Judge noted that the evidence by Kolawole underlined the function of Renee Williams of Afrisat in the course of negotiations, which included making presentations at various meetings. Kolawole, who was a signatory to the final agreement was said to have buttressed his points with documentary proof and even highlighted how Williams resolved an impasse between Globacom and GFA at some point during negotiations.
“The court found him a credible fellow; he appeared resolute, unwavering and demonstrated that he was in the thick of affairs. It could never have been that he concocted those stories and the court believes him.
“The court therefore finds out that it was Afrisat represented by Rene Williams that brokered the deal between GFA and Globacom.”
On the relationship between Afrisat and Midsea, the Judge said: “At the conclusion of negotiations, Afrisat was winding up its operations in Ghana and appointed Midsea to execute the contract.
“Given the fact that Afrisat was the entity that brokered the deal, they (Afrisat) have the right to engage any entity; human or company to continue with the execution.”
In addition, the court also awarded a cost of 5,000 Ghana Cedis against the plaintiff, ABN Marketing Limited.
Meanwhile, Bright Akwettey, counsel for the plaintiff has told GNA Sports of his intentions to appeal the verdict.
“We will appeal, the law gives us the right to appeal and in two weeks, we will decide.”
The football governing body penned a five-year sponsorship deal worth $15 million with the telecommunication giants as headline sponsor of the premier league in December 2008.
Source: GNA