The interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, has initiated a defamation suit against JoyNews investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni and Multimedia Group Ghana Limited (MGL), following reports alleging sexual abuse of female students at the school. Mr Azure is named as the first defendant, with MGL as the second.
In his lawsuit, Mr Abdulai seeks a declaration that the statements made or published about him by the defendants are false, defamatory, and malicious. He is also requesting the court to issue a perpetual injunction preventing the defendants from making, writing, or publishing any further defamatory statements about him. Additionally, Mr Abdulai is claiming GHS2 million in damages for defamation, along with other general damages.
During an appearance on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, October 22, Mr Azure revealed that this is the 12th defamation suit he has faced since 2015. “That is defamation suit number 12 since 2015, and I think my lawyers will handle that,” he stated.
The lawsuit comes in the wake of Mr Azure’s investigative piece, “Inside The Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow,” which brought to light allegations of rape involving the headmaster. The exposé led to the Ghana Education Service (GES) suspending Mr Abdulai pending further investigation. After the report’s publication, Mr Abdulai—who also served as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Constituency Secretary for Juaben and was vying for the position of Constituency Chairman—stepped down from the race under pressure from his party.
The investigation also uncovered that some of the alleged sexual abuse incidents had been reported to the police, but inquiries had reportedly stalled or made little progress. The report suggested that certain teachers, education officials, and political figures had failed to fulfill their responsibilities, resulting in pressure and victimisation of staff advocating justice for the affected students. .
The school’s focal person, the girl-child coordinator, and other committed individuals were identified as facing significant challenges in their pursuit of justice for the students. “Some of them failed to carry out their assigned duties, and this resulted in significant pressure and victimisation against the focal person, the girl-child coordinator, and others who were determined to seek justice for these girls,” Mr Azure noted.
Meanwhile, the Police Criminal Investigations Department has confirmed that the case docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General for advice.
