The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers & Planners Limited, Ibrahim Mahama, has threatened to sue investigative journalist and author, Manasseh Azure Awuni over his new book.
Mr Awuni in new latest book, “The President Ghana Never Got,” stated that the Universal Merchant Bank (UMB), formerly State-owned Merchant Bank, generated uproar in 2013 when it was sold to a private equity firm, Fortiz.
The journalist indicated that FirstRand Bank of South Africa was said to be willing to pay GH₵176million for 75% of Merchant Bank’s shares, while Fortiz offered only GH₵90million for 90% of the shares in the state-owned bank.
“The controversy deepened when it emerged that a brother of President John Mahama, Ibrahim Mahama, was one of the big debtors of the then Merchant Bank, which resulted in the bank’s struggles,” portions of the book read.
However, Mr Mahama has refuted the claim, demanding an immediate retraction and unqualified apology over what he has described as reputational damage.
In a letter, his solicitors asserted that the publication has negatively impacted Mr Mahama’s reputation as an honest businessman.
“Your publication has resulted in our client’s business associates, family and friends inquiring from him the veracity of your claims as the publication has lowered his reputation as an honest businessman in the eyes of well-meaning Ghanaians.
“We therefore have the instructions of our client to demand from you an immediate retraction of the publication under reference and an unqualified apology to our client,” part of the letter read.
They have warned that failure to comply with these demands within seven days will result in legal action against Mr Awuni.
Below is the full letter:
Source: Adomonline.com
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