Bibi Shariman Ali files $600M libel suit against Hana Mohamed over Facebook post

President Irfaan Ali's mother has filed a $600M-plus libel claim against opposition figure Hana Mohamed. Trial is set for October 29, 2026.

President's mother pursues $600M libel claim against opposition leader's sister

A pre-trial review has been scheduled for September 11, 2026, with a full in-person trial to follow on October 29, 2026, in a defamation case exceeding $600 million filed by Bibi Shariman Ali — mother of President Irfaan Ali — against Hana Mohamed, the sister of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, Kaieteur News reports.

Ali, a retired senior education official, launched the lawsuit over a Facebook post published by Mohamed on August 12, 2025, which allegedly linked her to high-level political corruption, bribery and gold-smuggling.

General and exemplary damages both sought

Through her legal team at London House Chambers — attorneys Devindra Kissoon, Natasha M. Vieira and Abhimanyu Dev — Ali is claiming general damages "in excess of G$300,000,000.00" for each defamatory statement contained in the post. She is additionally seeking aggravated and exemplary damages "in excess of G$300,000,000.00", bringing the total claim above G$600 million.

The case is filed under matter number 2025/155-HC-SOC-DEM-CIV.

The Facebook post and its contents

Mohamed's post referenced an online interview featuring contractor Junior Baksh and journalist Travis Chase, which she alleged had exposed corruption involving President Ali, his mother, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat and others. In the post, Mohamed wrote that the interview had revealed "damning evidence of serious corruption" and stated that "the truth is finally out showing how the PPP is rotten to its core."

The interview itself contained allegations that a local contractor had been required to pay President Ali a five per cent kickback on public contracts, and that Ali had personally collected such payments on the president's behalf. Court filings indicate that Baksh specifically alleged Ali had "demanded and collected a specific sum of G$35,000,000.00" as part of the scheme.

Retraction issued before post was published

Ali's statement of claim notes that Baksh had already issued press releases — prior to Mohamed's Facebook post — in which he stated that the allegations concerning Ali were untrue and had been made under duress. Baksh also publicly apologised to Ali and confirmed that he "has never had any dealings with the claimant."

Despite the retraction, Ali's legal filing alleges that Mohamed continued to publish and maintain the post, where it remained visible to her tens of thousands of followers.

Malice and campaign of vilification alleged

The statement of claim accuses Mohamed of acting with malice and reckless disregard for the truth, alleging she "published the words complained of knowing them to be false, or recklessly, not caring whether they were true or false." The court document describes the conduct as part of a "sustained campaign of public criticism and vilification" aimed at influencing the national elections.

Four decades of public service cited

Ali contends that the allegations caused serious emotional distress and significant damage to her reputation. Her career in public education spanned more than four decades, during which she served as a teacher, Chief Curriculum Development Officer at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), and a member of the Rights of the Child Commission.

The claim states that the Facebook post exposed Ali to public humiliation, with some users addressing her in derogatory terms, including the phrase "Gangster granny." Ali says the allegations have left her facing retirement "with the lingering stigma of corruption."

Court orders sought

Beyond the monetary damages, Ali is asking the court to issue a declaration that the Facebook post is false and defamatory. She is also seeking an injunction barring Mohamed from publishing similar statements in the future, an order requiring Mohamed to publish a formal apology pinned to her Facebook page for no fewer than 30 days, and the permanent deletion of the offending post, screenshots and any derivative content within 24 hours.

Case reassigned to new judge

The matter was previously before Madam Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus but has since been transferred to Madam Justice Azeena Baksh, according to an official notice issued by the High Court.

Source: Kaieteur News