The interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, has filed a defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni and Multimedia Group Ghana Limited over reports concerning allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at the school.
Abdulai is seeking a court declaration that statements published by the defendants are false, defamatory and malicious. He is also asking the court to issue a perpetual injunction preventing them from publishing further statements he considers defamatory.
The plaintiff is demanding GH¢2 million in damages for defamation, alongside other general damages.
Manasseh Azure Responds to Defamation Lawsuit
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Manasseh Azure Awuni disclosed that the lawsuit was the 12th defamation case brought against him since 2015.
The journalist said his lawyers would handle the matter.
The legal action follows his investigative report titled Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, which examined allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi SHTS.
GES Interdicts Headmaster as Investigations Continue
The investigative report triggered public concern and scrutiny, leading the Ghana Education Service (GES) to interdict Abdulai pending investigations into the allegations.
The report also indicated that some of the alleged incidents had previously been reported to the police, although investigations were reportedly slow or had stalled.
Abdulai, who previously served as Juaben Constituency Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), later withdrew his bid to contest the constituency chairmanship following pressure from his party.
Police CID Forwards Case to Attorney-General
Meanwhile, the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has confirmed that the case docket has been forwarded to the Attorney-General for advice.
The defamation lawsuit and the underlying allegations involving students remain subject to separate legal and investigative processes. The allegations have not been established as proven facts, and the court will determine the issues raised in the defamation action.
The case has renewed public debate about investigative journalism, defamation law, school accountability and the protection of students in Ghana.
Source: newsthemegh.com