• Afenyo-Markin’s lawyers say Sammy Gyamfi has already been validly served with the defamation writ.

• They say Gyamfi’s lawyers initially authorised them to accept the writ before allegedly returning it to the court registry.

• The suit follows Gyamfi’s description of Afenyo-Markin as an “extortionist”.

Lawyers for Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin have rejected claims that their client is avoiding service of a defamation writ on Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi.

The lawyers, Dehyena Chambers, say the writ has already been served through Mr Gyamfi’s lawyers, Ayine & Partners, and that the legal process was properly followed.

READ ALSO: Afenyo-Markin threatens to pursue legal action over defamatory claims amid GoldBod dispute

The clarification comes after questions emerged on social media over whether Mr Gyamfi had been formally served with the lawsuit filed against him by Mr Afenyo-Markin.

According to a statement issued by Dehyena Chambers on Saturday, August 29, 2026, the writ was filed at the Accra High Court on August 24.

Two days later, on August 26, Ayine & Partners reportedly wrote to the Registrar of the High Court, saying the firm had Mr Gyamfi’s “express instructions and authority” to accept service of the writ on his behalf.

Based on that written instruction, the lawyers said, a court bailiff served the writ on the law firm.

READ ALSO: Sammy Gyamfi denies GoldBod caused Bank of Ghana losses, hits back at Afenyo-Markin

Dehyena Chambers said the situation changed the following day. According to the lawyers of Sammy Gyamfi, Ayine & Partners returned the writ to the court registry on August 27, saying their client had changed his mind about allowing the firm to accept service.

The lawyers further claimed that when the court bailiff later attempted to serve Mr Gyamfi personally at his office, he refused to accept the document.

The statement added that Mr Gyamfi allegedly instructed security personnel to remove the bailiff from the building.

The lawyers maintain that the plaintiff cannot be accused of avoiding service because, under civil procedure, the court registry is responsible for serving the defendant once the writ has been issued.

The lawyers therefore stated:

On that basis, they say Mr Gyamfi already has knowledge of the case and must take the next legal steps required of a defendant.

READ ALSO: Dr Bawumia backs Afenyo-Markin as Minority Leader amid feud with Sammy Gyamfi

The writ stems from a public disagreement between Afenyo-Markin and Sammy Gyamfi over Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and reported losses associated with the programme.

Afenyo-Markin, who is also the New Patriotic Party MP for Effutu, has questioned the financial performance of the programme and called for greater accountability. The dispute escalated after Mr Gyamfi described Afenyo-Markin as an “extortionist” on August 22.