The Labour Division of the High Court in Accra has scheduled Tuesday, September 23 to hear two urgent applications filed by eleven West African nationals challenging their alleged unlawful detention by the Government of Ghana.
The applicants, who were deported from the United States, claim they were forcibly and secretly removed from U.S. immigration detention centers between September 5–6, 2025, shackled, and transported to Ghana without notice or explanation. Upon arrival, they allege they were handed over to Ghanaian authorities and detained in a suspected military facility without due process.
Legal Action: Injunction and Habeas Corpus
The two ex-parte applications include:
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An interim injunction to halt their deportation to their countries of origin.
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A Habeas Corpus application, requesting the government to produce the detainees in court and justify their detention.
The case was heard virtually on Thursday, September 18, presided over by Justice Priscilla Dikro, who indicated she needed time to review the applications before ruling.
Applicants and Alleged Rights Violations
The applicants include nationals from Nigeria, Liberia, Togo, Gambia, and Mali:
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Daniel Osas Aigbosa, Ahmed Animashaun, Ifeanyi Okechukwu, Taiwo K. Lawson (Nigeria)
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Kalu John (Liberia)
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Zito Yao Bruno, Agouda Richarla Oukpedzo Sikiratou (Togo)
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Sidiben Dawda (Gambia)
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Toure Dianke, Boubou Gassama (Mali)
Represented by Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the applicants argue that their continued detention violates multiple provisions of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, including:
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Article 14(1) – Protection of personal liberty
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Article 23 – Right to administrative justice
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Article 33(1) – Enforcement of fundamental human rights
They also claim the government is in breach of the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to countries where they may face torture, persecution, or inhumane treatment.
According to court filings, at least eight of the applicants were granted Withholding or Deferral of Removal under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) by U.S. immigration courts. These protections legally prohibit their deportation to their home countries.
Government Respondents
The suit names the following respondents:
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Attorney General of Ghana
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Chief of Defence Staff
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Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service
Next Steps
The court will hear arguments on September 23, 2025, regarding the interim injunction and Habeas Corpus applications. The substantive case concerning the alleged violations of the applicants’ constitutional and human rights will proceed after these preliminary matters are resolved.
