SML sues Manasseh Azure for ȼ21m

Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd. (SML) has filed a defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni over statements made in his book The President Ghana Never Got, particularly in Chapter 28, titled “The Mother of All Scandals.”

The lawsuit, filed in the High Court, accuses Manasseh of publishing defamatory content about SML in his documentary, articles, and tweets since December 2023. SML claims these statements have severely damaged its reputation, leading to public backlash and the loss of potential contracts in Tanzania, Kenya, and Ivory Coast.

Court documents reveal that SML entered into a contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on January 1, 2019, to provide transaction audit services and external price verification within Ghana’s customs operations. This contract was later expanded in April and October 2019 to include revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector. In October 2023, the government, through the Ministry of Finance and GRA, further extended the contract to cover audits in upstream petroleum and minerals, under a five-year “risk-reward” model.

SML argues that its services have significantly improved revenue mobilization by preventing leakages in the petroleum sector. The company claims that Manasseh’s depiction of its contract as a “scandal” is both misleading and damaging.

The lawsuit accuses Manasseh of using terms such as “the biggest scam,” “shady deal,” and “the SML scandal” to describe the company’s contract with the government. It also cites instances where the journalist allegedly referred to SML’s claims about its contract as “falsehoods” and a “lie,” implying criminal activity.

SML asserts that Manasseh acted in bad faith, despite being granted access to its facilities and given a guided tour of its revenue assurance operations. The company contends that the journalist intentionally misrepresented facts to harm its reputation.

As a result, SML is seeking the following:

GH₵1,000,000 in general damages for defamation.

GH₵20,000,000 in exemplary damages for what it describes as malicious reporting.

A permanent injunction to prevent Manasseh from publishing further defamatory statements about the company.

A public retraction and apology for Chapter 28 of his book.

The lawsuit argues that Manasseh’s allegations have fueled public mistrust in SML’s operations in the petroleum and mining sectors, causing significant reputational damage and business losses.

Read the suit filed

SMLL sues Manasseh over ‘The President Ghana never had’ claim