Ghana could face a default judgment at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over a US$50 million human rights lawsuit filed by Singaporean businessman Toh You Kang, who accuses state institutions of violating his fundamental rights.
Mr You Kang is seeking compensation in cedi equivalent to US$50 million for alleged unlawful arrest and detention, denial of a fair hearing, restrictions on his freedom of movement and failure by state authorities to protect him.
The case stems from a business dispute involving Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), and transactions linked to purported government contracts.
According to court documents, Mr You Kang claims he transferred US$800,000 and supplied approximately US$1.5 million worth of campaign materials for the 2024 general elections.
He alleges that when he travelled to Ghana in May 2025 to resolve the dispute, armed men demanded US$3 million from him and assaulted him after he refused.
He was subsequently handed over to the police and prosecuted for allegedly defrauding by false pretences. However, on September 4, 2025, the High Court quashed the Circuit Court proceedings and barred further action in the case.
The businessman also alleges misconduct by some police officers and irregularities involving his passport and immigration records. He left Ghana for Singapore on September 12, 2025.
Through his lawyer, Cephas Boyuo, he has applied for a default judgment, arguing that Ghana failed to file a defence within the period prescribed by the court’s rules after being served in November 2025.
The application seeks compensation, legal costs and declarations that his human rights were violated.
In correspondence dated April 14, 2026, the court’s Chief Registrar, Yaouza Ouro-Sama, said the matter was awaiting directives from the judges and that a hearing notice would be communicated once issued.
The claims remain subject to determination by the ECOWAS Court.
