Ghanaian entrepreneur and civil society advocate Bright Simons is requesting that businessman Ibrahim Mahama and his company, Engineers & Planners (E&P), admit to a long list of facts as part of an ongoing case before the High Court (General Jurisdiction).
Filed under Suit No: GJ/0832/2025, the case—currently before the Superior Court of Judicature in the High Court of Justice, Accra—saw Simons, the defendant, invoke Order 23 Rule 2(1) of civil procedure, compelling the plaintiffs to confirm or deny 38 key factual statements within 14 days.
The requested admissions touch on a wide array of issues involving business dealings, political affiliations, financial obligations, and regulatory connections:
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Political Exposure: Simons asks the plaintiffs to admit that Ibrahim Mahama is not only the sole shareholder of Engineers & Planners but also the brother of the President of Ghana, thereby classifying him as a politically exposed person. The document highlights a 2013 engagement with the Appleby Law Firm in the Isle of Man, where Mahama was reportedly labelled high-risk for financial compliance purposes.
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Major Mining Contracts: A large portion of the facts concern lucrative contracts between Engineers & Planners and Abosso Goldfields Limited, including a $117 million agreement (2015–2019) and a $300 million agreement signed in December 2019, expected to last until 2025. These contracts are described as being among the company’s largest sources of income, both in Ghana and globally.
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Revenue and Debt Challenges: The document alleges that after active mining ceased at Damang in 2023, E&P stopped receiving payments, which impacted its revenue significantly. Simons also states that the company has had meetings with creditors, including Stanbic Bank and the Ecowas Bank for Investment & Development (EBID), due to loan servicing difficulties. It’s alleged that E&P defaulted on a $68 million loan taken in 2020 and has since accrued penalties and unpaid interest.
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Regulatory Connections: Simons claims E&P has former employees working in high positions at the Minerals Commission, including Victoria Awuni and Isaac Tandoh. The plaintiffs are also said to have expressed interest in acquiring Cardinal Namdini Mines in Bolgatanga and to have signed a $230 million Caterpillar equipment financing deal with the Mansour Group.
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Legal and Financial Strain: The defendant further notes that E&P is currently facing multiple lawsuits and demand notices from creditors, painting a picture of mounting financial and legal pressure.
Public and Industry Implications
One particularly notable request is the admission that the term “industry” used in Simons’ article refers not only to companies like E&P but also to civil society organisations and regulatory bodies like the Minerals Commission. This suggests that the case may centre on public interest journalism or commentary involving Mahama’s business operations.
The outcome of this high-stakes legal contest could have significant implications, not just for Ibrahim Mahama and his company, but also for debates around political influence in business, financial transparency, and freedom of expression in Ghana.
The plaintiffs have until mid-June 2025 to respond to the request, after which the case is expected to proceed to substantive hearings.
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