Herald editor Larry Dogbey granted bail after contempt conviction

Journalist and Editor of The Herald newspaper, Larry Alans Dogbey, has been granted bail after an Accra High Court sentenced him to seven days' imprisonment for contempt of court over publications linked to an ongoing legal dispute involving businessman Kevin Okyere and Swiss commodities trading firm Petraco SA.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Isaac Addo on Thursday, June 25, found that Mr Dogbey had deliberately violated a court order prohibiting further publications relating to the case while legal proceedings remain pending.

Although the court ordered his committal to prison, Mr Dogbey has since secured bail pending further legal proceedings.

The contempt proceedings arose from a series of reports published by The Herald concerning a petition filed by Petraco SA against Kevin Okyere, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Springfield Exploration and Production Limited (SEP).

According to the High Court, an interlocutory injunction issued on June 11, 2025, expressly restrained Mr Dogbey and the newspaper from publishing additional stories relating to the dispute until the substantive case had been determined.

The court held that despite the injunction, further publications were made, prompting the contempt application.

During the hearing, Mr Dogbey argued under cross-examination that he had not been personally served with the injunction and was therefore unaware of the court's directive prohibiting further publications.

However, Justice Addo rejected that defence, ruling that the editor had acted in deliberate defiance of the court's authority.

In his judgment, the judge stated:

"Despite this clear and unambiguous judicial directive, the Respondent willfully, contumaciously, and in flagrant disregard of the authority of this Court proceeded to breach the said Order of 11th June, 2025."

The court concluded that the evidence presented established a clear case of contempt.

Justice Addo explained that the High Court derives its authority to punish contempt from Article 126(2) of Ghana's 1992 Constitution as well as Order 50 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004.

The judge emphasised that compliance with court orders is essential to maintaining the authority and integrity of the judicial system, regardless of whether parties agree with a ruling.

Following the conviction, the court directed that a Warrant of Committal be issued to the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, or any authorised officer acting on his behalf, to enforce the seven-day custodial sentence.

Despite the custodial sentence, Mr Dogbey has subsequently been granted bail while the legal process continues.

The terms of the bail were not immediately disclosed.

The underlying civil dispute between Petraco SA and Springfield Exploration and Production Limited remains before the courts, with the interlocutory injunction continuing to apply until the substantive matter is determined.

The case has attracted considerable public interest, particularly because it raises issues relating to media reporting on ongoing court proceedings, compliance with judicial orders, and the limits of press freedom during active litigation.

Legal observers note that contempt proceedings are intended to protect the administration of justice by ensuring that court directives are respected while cases remain before the judiciary.