Ibrahim Mahama sues Bright Simons for defamation, demands GHS10m in damages

Businessman Ibrahim Mahama has filed a defamation lawsuit against Bright Simons. Simons is the Vice President of IMANI Africa. Mahama claims that Simons made “false and malicious” publications. These publications harmed his reputation and that of his company, Engineers and Planners (E&P).

Court documents were filed at an Accra High Court on May 28. Mahama and E&P allege that Simons made defamatory claims in an article. The article is titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine.” It was published on April 19, 2025, on Simons' personal website, brightsimons.com.

On the same day, Simons shared the article on X (formerly Twitter). His post quickly gained traction, amassing over 93,000 views by May 8. It also received 250 reactions, 98 reposts, 26 comments, and 109 bookmarks. The plaintiffs argue this engagement helped spread the alleged defamatory content widely.

The article accused E&P of financial distress due to halted operations at the Damang gold mine. It suggested that the company's creditors were “up in arms.” Additionally, it insinuated that Mahama improperly benefited from political connections. It claimed E&P was favored in government mining policies.

In their suit, the plaintiffs reject these claims as “entirely false.” They argue the article portrays E&P as financially unstable. This undermines the company’s credibility with business partners.

The plaintiffs are seeking several reliefs:
1. A declaration that Simons' statements are defamatory.
2. A public retraction and apology on digital platforms.
3. A full-page ad in the Daily Graphic for six consecutive editions over three months.
4. A perpetual injunction barring further defamatory remarks from Simons.
5. General damages amounting to GHS10 million.
6. Legal costs and any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court.

Tags: Bright Simons, Ghana News, Ibrahim Mahama