Ghana is facing a possible default judgment at the ECOWAS Court of Justice over a US$50 million human rights lawsuit filed by Singaporean businessman and investor Toh You Kang.
The US$50 million default judgment follows Mr You Kang, through his lawyer, Cephas Boyuo, seeking compensation for alleged violations of his fundamental human rights, which he alleged included unlawful arrest and detention, denial of a fair hearing, restrictions on his freedom of movement and failure by state institutions to protect him.
According to court documents, the case stems from a business dispute involving Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and officers of the Ghana Police Service.
The application filed before the ECOWAS court detailed that Mr You Kang reportedly travelled to Ghana in May 2025 to resolve outstanding financial and business matters connected to transactions involving Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore.
The investor, a shareholder in Ghanaian-registered NSG Innovation Limited, alleges that Mr Moore presented himself as a politically connected businessman capable of facilitating government-related contracts.
Relying on these representations, he claims to have transferred US$100,000 and subsequently provided another US$700,000 in connection with purported contracts to supply electrical cables to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
He also claims to have supplied approximately US$1.5 million worth of campaign materials for the 2024 general elections.
The application further alleged that the dispute escalated when You Kang was taken to a private residence, where armed men allegedly demanded US$3 million from him, claiming that he was assaulted after refusing to pay before being handed over to the police.
He was subsequently arrested and prosecuted on a charge of defrauding by false pretences.
Mr You Kang challenged the criminal proceedings, arguing that the transactions underlying the charges occurred outside Ghana and that the Dansoman Circuit Court lacked jurisdiction.
On September 4, 2025, the High Court granted an application for certiorari, quashing the proceedings and prohibiting the Circuit Court from continuing with the case.
The investor further alleges that police officers failed to act appropriately on complaints he lodged against the NDC’s Moore concerning assault, threats and the retention of his personal belongings.
He also raises concerns about the handling of his passport at Kotoka International Airport, claiming that irregularities in his entry documentation were subsequently acknowledged by the Ghana Immigration Service.
Mr You Kang eventually left Ghana for Singapore on September 12, 2025.
In his application before the ECOWAS Court, through his lawyer, Cephas Boyuo, Esq the businessman argues that the circumstances surrounding his arrest, detention and prosecution violated his rights under international human rights instruments.
The application for default judgment was filed in December 2025.
According to an accompanying affidavit, the originating processes were electronically served on the Attorney-General, Deputy Attorney-General, Solicitor-General and other authorised legal officers on November 13, 2025.
His lawyer contends that Ghana failed to file a defence within the prescribed period.
Lawyer Boyuo is asking the court to enter judgment by default against Ghana and grant the substantive reliefs sought.
These include declarations that the state violated Mr You Kang’s fundamental rights and an order compelling Ghana to pay the cedi equivalent of US$50 million in damages, alongside legal costs and fees.
The court’s determination of the application will establish whether the conditions for default judgment have been met. The US$50 million claim remains a request for compensation, not an established liability against Ghana.
In related news, reports disclosed that the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice have reportedly recommended that Emmanuel Nii Ashie-Moore, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), be charged with stealing in connection with a case involving a Singaporean businessman.
According to a report by thelawplatform.com, the Attorney General’s Office, recommendation followed a review of an investigation docket containing witness statements, CCTV footage from Fiesta Residences and a cybercrime analysis report.
The document identifies Ashie-Moore as the first suspect and says the evidence gathered is sufficient to support a charge of stealing under Section 124 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
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