Kumasi: The 2024 vice-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as NAPO, has initiated legal action against Sheikh Mohammed Kamil Samudeen, a prominent Islamic cleric and scholar. The lawsuit was filed at the High Court in Kumasi, where NAPO accused the Deputy Imam of Ahlussuna Wal Jamaa-Ghana of defamation, following allegations made by the cleric that NAPO is a homosexual.
According to Ghana Web, NAPO's legal complaint centers on statements allegedly made by Sheikh Samudeen. The cleric is quoted in court documents making claims about NAPO's personal life, questioning why he remains unmarried at the age of 57 despite his wealth and status as a Member of Parliament. The imam further alleged that NAPO's recent selection as a vice-presidential candidate prompted efforts to pair him with a woman, suggesting that his reluctance to engage in a public display of affection supports the claim of homosexuality.
NAPO, who previously served as the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, is seeking GHS10 million in damages for the defamation, among other legal remedies. The court has given Sheikh Samudeen a deadline of eight days to respond to the lawsuit. The documents indicate that the legal proceedings were initiated in January 2026.