ECOWAS court orders Ghana to compensate New Force's Shalimar Abbiusi

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court has ordered the government of Ghana to compensate the spokesperson of the New Force Movement, Shalimar Abbiusi.

This follows the arrest and deportation of Abbiusi. She was first arrested on December 4, 2023, and arraigned before the Kaneshie District Court on charges of alleged falsification of documents as a student of Ghana Christian University College to obtain a residence permit.

Despite being granted bail and released by National Security, she was subsequently rearrested and deported on December 20, 2023, just 24 hours after state prosecutors from the Ghana Immigration Service dropped all charges against her.

The New Force, in a statement issued on Friday, November 22, noted that the ECOWAS Court ruled that her rearrest, and deportation were unlawful and violated her rights, mandating compensation from the Ghanaian government.

“This case highlighted significant issues of abuse of power and political persecution. The New Force is pleased to announce a significant victory following the recent ruling by the ECOWAS Court, which confirmed that the Republic of Ghana violated the rights of our spokesperson, Shalimar Abbiusi.

“This ruling underscores our commitment to justice and accountability in a democratic society. The court’s decision comes after a series of unlawful actions were taken against Ms. Abbiusi, including her wrongful arrest and subsequent rearrest by the Ghana Immigration Service. The unlawful actions also caused significant damage to her personal and professional standing, amplifying the gravity of the injustice,” it stated.

According to the Movement, Francis-Xavier Sosu, who appeared with Belinda Narkey Quaynor, thanked the Court and said he “feels vindicated that the ECOWAS Court has protected the rights of Shalimar.”

It further stated “The New Force is dedicated to ensuring that laws are upheld fairly across all African nations, advocating for the rights of individuals regardless of their background. We urge the Ghanaian government to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law, as guaranteed by our Constitution. The actions against Ms. Abbiusi exemplify a broader issue of political persecution that threatens the foundations of democracy in Ghana. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our mission to promote transparency and accountability within governmental institutions for the benefit of all.”

“We call on civil society organisations, human rights advocates, and the international community to join us in condemning these violations and supporting efforts for meaningful reform in Ghana. Together, we can foster a future where every individual’s rights are respected and protected. For further information or media inquiries, please contact our communications team at [email protected].”