I’m not Ibrahim Mahama, but this lawsuit looks like a bad move — Oliver Barker-Vormawor weighs In
Private legal practitioner and social activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has shared some strong words of caution with Ghanaian business mogul and philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama — and he’s not sugarcoating it.
In a post that’s making the rounds online, Oliver wrote:
“I am not Ibrahim Mahama. And I may never accumulate that much wealth or perception of wealth in my life.
But if he listens to advice from broke nobodies, then I think his lawsuit against Bright Simons was a bad idea.”
He continued by stressing that this isn’t just about legal grounds but also about public perception and political consequences.
“A well-rounded legal advisor’s role is to help check your impulses; not enable them because nokofio or if not that, out of deference.”
Oliver then made a humble appeal to the business titan:
“I will urge him to withdraw it, if I am the kind of person whose views he finds worthy.
Shalom!”
Here’s the backstory:
Ibrahim Mahama has dragged IMANI Africa Vice President Bright Simons to court, demanding GH₵10 million for defamation. Mahama argues that Simons published “false and malicious” claims that tarnished his image and that of his company, Engineers and Planners (E&P).
The suit references Simons’ April 19, 2025, article titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine,” where he reportedly claimed that E&P was facing serious financial trouble and being propped up by government influence due to Mahama’s political ties.
But Ibrahim Mahama and his legal team aren’t having any of it. They’ve denied all the claims, calling them baseless and damaging.
