Businessman Ibrahim Mahama has initiated legal action against Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, accusing him of publishing “false and malicious” claims that have allegedly harmed his reputation and that of his company, Engineers and Planners (E&P).
According to court documents filed at the Accra High Court on May 28, the lawsuit stems from an article authored by Simons titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine,” published on April 19, 2025, on his personal website, brightsimons.com.
By May 8, the post had attracted over 93,000 views, 98 reposts, 250 reactions, 26 comments, and 109 bookmarks—figures the plaintiffs say contributed to the widespread dissemination of the alleged defamatory content.
The article reportedly claimed that E&P was facing financial difficulties due to halted operations at the Damang gold mine, alleging the company’s creditors were “up in arms.” It further insinuated that Ibrahim Mahama, who is the brother of former President John Mahama, was improperly benefiting from political connections and that E&P was receiving preferential treatment in government mining policies.
In their statement of claim, Mahama and E&P deny all allegations, describing them as “entirely false and wholly without factual basis.” They contend that the publication portrays E&P as financially unstable and politically compromised, damaging the company’s business reputation and jeopardizing existing and potential partnerships.
The plaintiffs are seeking the following reliefs:
- A declaration that the statements made by Bright Simons are defamatory;
- A public retraction and apology, to be published on the same digital platforms and as a full-page advert in the Daily Graphic for six consecutive editions over three months;
- A perpetual injunction restraining Simons from making further defamatory statements about them;
- General damages of GHS10 million;
- Legal costs and any additional relief the court may deem appropriate.
As of now, Bright Simons has not issued a public response to the suit.
.){kind=link}