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Businessman Ibrahim Mahama has filed a defamation lawsuit against Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, over allegations of publishing false and damaging content about him and his company, Engineers and Planners (E\&P).
The suit, filed at the Accra High Court on May 28, claims that Simons published defamatory statements in an article titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine”, which appeared on his personal website on April 19, 2025. The article was also shared on Simons’ official X (formerly Twitter) handle, @BBSimons, where it gained widespread traction.
By May 8, the post had reportedly reached over 93,000 views, with 250 reactions, 98 reposts, 26 comments, and 109 bookmarks. Mahama and E&P argue that this engagement contributed to the broad dissemination of the alleged falsehoods.
The article allegedly suggested that E&P was facing financial distress due to the shutdown of operations at the Damang gold mine and implied that the company’s creditors were dissatisfied. It also accused Ibrahim Mahama of benefiting from political favoritism due to his family ties, given that he is the brother of former President John Mahama.
In their court filing, the plaintiffs deny all claims made in the article, describing them as baseless and harmful to their reputation and business credibility.
They are seeking the following legal remedies:
1. A declaration that the statements made by Bright Simons are defamatory.
2. A public retraction and apology to be published on the same digital platforms and in the Daily Graphic as a full-page ad for six consecutive editions over a three-month period.
3. A perpetual injunction restraining Simons from publishing further defamatory statements.
4. General damages amounting to GHS10 million.
5. Legal costs and any other relief the court deems appropriate.
