Bright Simons: Ibrahim Mahama’s defamation suit a ‘SLAPP,’ I’ll fight it

Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, is preparing a strong legal defense. This follows a defamation lawsuit from businessman Ibrahim Mahama. Simons calls the suit a deliberate attempt to silence public scrutiny.

In a statement on Thursday, Simons dismissed the claims as baseless. He accused Mahama of using the legal system to stifle criticism. “There is nothing in the comments that can be described as defamatory,” he stated.

Mahama is the CEO of Engineers & Planners (E&P) and brother of President John Mahama. He filed the lawsuit at the Accra High Court on May 28. The suit alleges that Simons published false claims in an April 19 article titled *“Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine.”*

The article was posted on Simons’ website and shared on X (formerly Twitter). It went viral after publication. The lawsuit focuses on claims that E&P was struggling financially due to reduced operations at Gold Fields’ Damang mine.

Mahama’s team argues that these statements harmed his reputation and business relationships. They are seeking GHS10 million in damages, a public apology, and an injunction against further statements.

Simons countered by calling the suit a SLAPP—strategic lawsuit against public participation. He believes it aims to discourage legitimate commentary on important issues. “It is designed to scare away analysts and activists,” he said.

Simons defended his article's factual basis, citing public information and industry trends. He referenced Gold Fields’ reports to support his claims about E&P’s financial struggles.

He explained that “up in arms” is an idiom for protest or dissatisfaction, not defamatory language. “If necessary, different creditors shall be subpoenaed,” he added, indicating he would prove his statements were justified.

Simons emphasized the need for scrutiny of companies linked to political power. He noted that fear of lawsuits creates censorship in Ghana regarding powerful companies' interests. “I do not intend to honor this tradition,” he affirmed.

“Accountability, as I like to say, is a marathon.”