Gary Nimako sues Media Foundation for West Africa over defamation

Gary Nimako Marfo Esq.

Former Board Chairman of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Gary Nimako Marfo, has filed a GHS10 million defamation suit against the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and several of its affiliates over a publication on the NLA’s dealings with KGL Technology Limited.

The suit, filed at the High Court in Accra on September 30, 2025, also cites Seth J. Bokpe of The Fourth Estate, MFWA’s Executive Director Sulemana Braimah, and journalists William Nlanjerbor Jalulah and Philip Teye Agbove as defendants.

Mr. Nimako, who is also a legal practitioner, argues that the publication falsely alleged that the NLA “gave away a GHS3 billion business in exchange for peanuts.”

He maintains that the story, which featured his photograph and banner headline, was defamatory, malicious, and designed to tarnish his image as well as that of other former NLA board members.

The Fourth Estate report, an investigative project under the MFWA, suggested that the NLA had handed a revenue stream worth about GHS3 billion to KGL Technology Limited for an annual sum of just GHS170 million.

The publication drew significant public interest and criticism.

In his writ, Mr. Nimako is seeking:

  • A declaration that the publication was defamatory and unjustified;
  • A declaration that it sought to incite public disaffection against him and others;
  • An order for a retraction and apology, published with the same prominence as the original story.
  • GHS10 million in compensatory damages; and
  • Costs including solicitor’s fees.

The plaintiff is represented by Marfo & Associates, with service of the writ expected to be carried out directly on the defendants.

Meanwhile, former NLA Director-General Samuel Awuku has also challenged The Fourth Estate report, describing it as “lopsided” and unreflective of the authority’s broader work through its Good Causes Foundation.

Responding in a statement on September 25, Awuku acknowledged NLA’s sponsorship of events such as the EMY Awards and the Ghana CEO Summit but rejected claims of mismanagement.

He insisted that such sponsorships accounted for only 5% of the Foundation’s budget and were aimed at strategic marketing to attract corporate partners to the NLA’s Caritas Lottery Platform.

He further defended the NLA’s activities, stressing that the Foundation’s spending had delivered meaningful social impact for vulnerable groups over the past three years.