Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni sued for defamation over The President Ghana Never Got allegations

Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) has filed a defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist Mr Manasseh Azure Awuni over claims made in his book The President Ghana Never Got. The lawsuit specifically targets Chapter 28, titled “The Mother of All Scandals”, along with a YouTube documentary published on December 18, 2023, and related articles and social media posts.

SML, a Ghanaian company providing revenue assurance services, argues that Mr Awuni’s publications falsely portray its contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) as fraudulent, using terms such as “the biggest scam,” “a shady deal,” and “the SML scandal.” The company claims these statements have harmed its reputation and caused it to lose business opportunities in Tanzania, Kenya, and Ivory Coast.

According to SML, it has maintained legally approved contracts with the GRA since January 1, 2019, offering transaction audit and external price verification services. These agreements were later expanded under the Ministry of Finance to include audits in the petroleum upstream and minerals sectors.

The lawsuit emphasizes that SML operates on a risk-reward model, meaning the company bears the cost of infrastructure and technology upfront and is compensated only from increased government revenue. SML argues that Mr. Awuni’s characterization of the contract as “redundant” and “needless” misrepresents its purpose and impact.

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SML also accuses Mr Awuni of acting with malice, claiming that as a journalist, he “knew or ought to have known” that the government and the GRA were responsible for contract approvals. The company argues that by branding the contract as a “scandal,” Mr Awuni misled the public and undermined trust in SMLL’s operations in the petroleum and mining sectors.

As part of the lawsuit, SMLL is seeking general damages of GH¢1 million for defamation, exemplary damages of GH¢20 million for what it describes as malicious reporting, a perpetual injunction preventing Mr Awuni from publishing further defamatory content, a retraction of Chapter 28 of his book, and a public apology.

The lawsuit requires Mr. Awuni to enter an appearance within eight days of service. The case is expected to proceed with evidence gathering and potential court hearings in the coming weeks.