Shatta Wale Sues Black Rasta for Defamation, Demands GH¢100 Million in Damages

Popular Ghanaian dancehall artiste Charles Nii Armah Mensah, widely known as Shatta Wale, has filed a defamation suit against social commentator Abubakar Ahmed, also known as Black Rasta, seeking damages of GH¢100 million. The lawsuit arises from a video publication by the defendant titled “SHATTA WALE, SELF CONFESSED KING OF FRAUD,” which the musician describes as false, malicious, and injurious to his reputation.

According to court documents filed on January 15 by Shatta Wale’s lawyers, Robert Smith Law and Group, the plaintiff argues that the statements made in the video portray him as dishonest, morally reprehensible, and involved in fraudulent activities. He contends that the comments, by way of innuendo, suggest he encourages and facilitates internet fraud, allegations he insists are entirely untrue and damaging to his public image and career.

Shatta Wale is seeking several reliefs from the court, including a declaration that the statements made by Black Rasta are defamatory, an order compelling the permanent removal of the video and all related content from the defendant’s social media platforms, and an injunction restraining the defendant from making further defamatory publications against him. He is also demanding a public retraction and an unqualified apology to be published on Black Rasta’s social media pages and in full-page adverts in the Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, and Graphic Showbiz newspapers.

In his statement of case, the award-winning musician stated that the publication portrays him as untrustworthy, deceitful, and driven solely by selfish interests. He further noted that the video gained significant traction within a short period, recording over 150,000 views on Facebook and more than 27,000 views on YouTube within 24 hours, which he claims amplified the damage to his reputation.