ECOWAS Court orders compensation for violations against New Force’s Shalimar Abbiusi

The ECOWAS Court has ruled in favor of Shalimar Abbiusi, spokesperson for the New Force, in her case against the Republic of Ghana for the violation of her fundamental rights.

The court found that Ghana had violated Abbiusi’s rights by wrongfully arresting, rearresting, and illegally deporting her in December 2023, causing significant harm to her personal and professional reputation.

The court noted that the actions of the Ghana Immigration Service—specifically the arrest, rearrest, and deportation—contravened Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, especially since all charges against Abbiusi had been dropped by the State Prosecutor.

In its ruling, the court ordered the Ghanaian government to provide compensation to Abbiusi, marking a significant victory for justice and accountability.

Francis-Xavier Sosu, Esq., the Madina legislator who, alongside lawyer Belinda Narkey Quaynor, represented Abbiusi, expressed gratitude for the court’s decision. “We are relieved that the ECOWAS Court has upheld Shalimar’s rights,” Sosu commented.

The New Force reiterated its commitment to promoting fairness and justice across Africa and called on the Ghanaian government to “respect human rights and uphold the rule of law, as enshrined in the Constitution.”

The movement also condemned the actions against Abbiusi, describing them as part of a wider pattern of political persecution that undermines democracy in Ghana. They urged civil society groups, human rights advocates, and the international community to denounce such violations and support efforts for institutional reforms in the country.