‘Miss Universe 2012’ sues organizers of the pageant

Gifty Ofori, who until May 23 was Miss Universe Ghana 2012, has sued organizers of the pageant for failing to give her prizes and also stripping her of her title.

The Insignia Group, co-organizers of the 2012 Miss Universe Ghana beauty pageant, stripped Gifty of her title barely hours to the crowing of the 2013 Miss Universe Ghana on May 24.

Insignia in a statement copied Myjoyonline.com said the decision was necessitated by several interviews Gifty Ofori, winner of the 2012 pageant granted the media that she has not received her prizes which they claimed contravened the pageant’s laws.

Gifty’s prize package publicised by last year’s organizers, Insignia Experience and RAC Group comprised included an official car, accommodation for a year, participation in the 61st Miss Universe pageant in the US, a three-month internship at the United Nations (UN) in New York, and a presentation and modeling portfolio shoot by celebrity photographer, Fadil Berisha in New York.

She was also to receive a Samsung Note 2 phablet, four pages editorial spread in an international magazine, personal celebrity stylists in New York, Los Angeles and Accra and also management and representation by the Insignia Experience/RAC Group as well as a year of incredible experience of celebrity status and adventure.

Till date, she had only received the Samsung Galaxy phablet, represented Ghana at Miss Universe pageant in the US and also benefited from a photo shoot.

Insignia said in the statement that: “In light of the series of unfortunate events and for flouting very specific clauses in the contract she willingly entered into with the organization, The Insignia Group has had to take the tough decision of stripping the current titleholder of her title as Miss Universe Ghana 2012.”

Organizers said in accordance to the rules stipulated in the 2012 Miss Universe Ghana Entry Form and Contract Agreement, Gifty is no longer entitled or permitted to use the title and position of “Miss Universe Ghana 2012” in anyway, and she is also not in a position to allow the use of the title by anyone in reference to her.

Myjoyonline.com has cited a writ of summons issued in the High Court of Justice on June 6, 2013 against the 2012 organizers of the pageant – Insignia Experience and Roberta Annan Consulting – for breach of contract and illegally stripping Gifty Ofori of her title.

Axis Legal, who are representing her in court, told Myjoyonline.com that they are suing the organizers because they have breached a contract between them and Gifty. He stressed that the organisers have failed to deliver on the number of promises made to her.

According to the legal firm, the organizers inserted certain clauses in the contract with the "intention to defraud her".

"The organizers failed to give Gifty the prizes due her and when she complained, they stripped her of her title," Axis Legal confirmed to Myjoyonline.com.

Axis Legal said they will, amongst other things, seek to get the organizers of the pageant pay or award Gifty Ofori all the prizes due her, restore her title as Miss Universe 2012 and also pay for the breach of contract.

Gifty’s counsel said they hope the case will be heard in about two weeks’ time.