Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd. (SML) has filed a defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, seeking GHȼ21 million in damages. The suit stems from claims made in his book The President Ghana Never Got, specifically in Chapter 28, titled “The Mother of All Scandals.”
The lawsuit, lodged in the High Court, accuses Mr. Azure of publishing defamatory content about SML through various platforms, including a documentary, articles, and tweets, starting in December 2023. SML argues that these statements have damaged the company’s reputation, leading to public backlash and loss of business opportunities in markets such as Tanzania, Kenya, and the Ivory Coast.
According to court filings, SML entered into a contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in January 2019 to provide transaction audit services and external price verification for Ghana’s customs operations. This agreement was extended in subsequent years to include revenue assurance services in the downstream petroleum sector. In October 2023, the scope of the contract was expanded to include audits of upstream petroleum and mineral revenues under a five-year “risk-reward” model.
SML maintains that its work has helped significantly boost revenue collection by reducing leaks in the petroleum sector. The company contends that Azure’s depiction of the contract as a “scandal” is not only misleading but also harmful to its business interests.
Source:TheDotNews