Zakaria Abdulai sues journalist for GH₵2m over Obuasi SHTS rape claims

Zakaria Abdulai, the interdicted Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, has initiated a GH₵2 million defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni and the Multimedia Group Limited. The lawsuit, filed at the High Court in Accra, contends that recent media reports regarding allegations of sexual misconduct against him are false and malicious. This legal development comes as the Ghana Police Service has escalated its criminal investigation into claims that Abdulai raped a 20-year-old student, with the case docket now forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Office for advice.

The criminal proceedings focus on an incident that reportedly occurred on July 25, 2026. The complainant alleged that Abdulai lured her to his residence under the pretense of an errand, where the assault took place. Following the incident, the headmaster is accused of offering the student GH₵100 to stay silent. The victim reported the matter to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) on August 4, leading to Abdulai's arrest and subsequent interdiction. While the current case centers on this specific survivor, authorities have indicated they are investigating broader allegations involving other students at the school.

Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka addressed the matter in Parliament, confirming that the investigation has been transferred from the regional level to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra to ensure a thorough inquiry. He emphasized that the Inspector-General of Police has called for urgent action on the case. Investigators are currently in the process of securing a court order to obtain DNA samples for forensic analysis, which is expected to provide critical evidence for the prosecution.

In addition to the criminal and civil legal battles, Abdulai has faced significant professional and political consequences. He has resigned from his executive position within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and remains in police custody as the Attorney-General reviews the evidence. Advocates for sexual abuse survivors have publicly supported the complainant, emphasizing that victims are not to blame and calling for more robust protective measures for students across all educational levels. Abdulai maintains his innocence regarding the rape charges, asserting through his defamation suit that his reputation has been unfairly tarnished.