Ghanaian businessman Ibrahim Mahama has filed a defamation suit against Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, over alleged claims of “false and malicious” publications.
Court documents filed at the Accra High Court on May 28, 2025, show that Mr Mahama and his company, Engineers and Planners (E&P), are demanding GHS10 million in damages.
They allege that an article published by Mr Simons on 19 April 2025, titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine”, contained “false and malicious” statements.
The article, published on Mr Simons’ personal website and shared via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, accused E&P of financial difficulties and suggested the company’s creditors were unhappy due to halted operations at the Damang gold mine.
It also implied that Mr Mahama, who is the brother of President John Dramani Mahama, had benefited from political connections and that E&P was receiving preferential treatment in government mining policies.
According to the plaintiffs, the article’s online reach, over 93,000 views and hundreds of interactions by May 8 amplified the alleged reputational harm. They say the claims are “completely untrue and baseless,” and have negatively affected E&P’s image and credibility with current and prospective partners.
The lawsuit demands:
- A declaration that the statements made by Bright Simons are defamatory;
- A public retraction and apology published on the same digital platforms and as a full-page ad in the Daily Graphic for six consecutive editions over three months;
- A perpetual injunction barring Simons from making further defamatory remarks;
- General damages amounting to GHS10 million;
- Legal costs and any additional relief the court may deem appropriate.
