The ECOWAS Court has ruled in favor of Shalimar Abbiusi, spokesperson for the New Force, in her case against the Republic of Ghana for violating her fundamental rights.
The court found that Ghana’s actions, including the wrongful arrest, rearrest, and illegal deportation of Ms. Abbiusi in December 2023, violated her rights and caused significant harm to her personal and professional reputation. The court noted that these actions by the Ghana Immigration Service breached Article 6 of the Liberty of People, especially since all charges against Ms. Abbiusi had been dropped by the State Prosecutor.
As part of its ruling, the ECOWAS Court ordered the Ghanaian government to compensate Ms. Abbiusi, marking a significant step toward justice and accountability.
Francis-Xavier Sosu, Esq., the Member of Parliament for Madina, who represented Ms. Abbiusi alongside Lawyer Belinda Narkey Quaynor, welcomed the court’s decision. “We feel vindicated that the ECOWAS Court has upheld the rights of Shalimar,” Mr. Sosu stated.
The New Force also issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to promoting fairness and justice across Africa, urging the Ghanaian government to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law as guaranteed by the nation’s Constitution.
“The treatment of Ms. Abbiusi highlights a broader issue of political persecution that undermines the foundations of democracy in Ghana,” the New Force declared.
The group called on civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and the international community to condemn such violations and support efforts to reform governmental institutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
