Victims of Ashaiman military raid drag state to court, demand compensation
A total of 237 residents affected by a military operation in Ashaiman in March 2023 have filed a lawsuit against the state, seeking justice and compensation for injuries and destruction of property they say occurred during the exercise.
The suit, filed at the High Court, names the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence as the first and second defendants respectively, while the Attorney-General’s Department has been joined as the third defendant.
In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that the actions of soldiers who carried out the operation in Ashaiman on March 7, 2023, were unlawful.
According to the suit, officers and men acting as servants or agents of the defendants assaulted residents and destroyed both personal and real property during the operation. The plaintiffs said many victims suffered varying degrees of injuries, which they believe resulted from the unlawful conduct of the military personnel involved.
The residents are therefore seeking several reliefs from the court, including a declaration that the physical abuse inflicted on them during the operation was unlawful. They are also asking the court to rule that the destruction of their property during the exercise was illegal.
In addition, the plaintiffs want the court to order the defendants to pay all medical expenses already incurred, as well as any future medical costs arising from injuries sustained during the operation.
They are further seeking general damages for what they describe as the physical pain, emotional distress and psychological trauma suffered during the exercise.
The victims are also demanding compensation covering the full cost of damage to their homes and personal belongings, as well as reimbursement for money they claim was lost during the operation.
The plaintiffs have additionally asked the court to order the dismissal of the military personnel involved and to award legal costs, including fees assessed at 25 per cent of any sums awarded, based on the scale of the Ghana Bar Association.
Background
On March 7, 2023, soldiers carried out a dawn swoop in parts of Ashaiman, including the communities of Tulaku and Ashaiman Taifa, following the killing of a young soldier, Imoro Sherrif.
The operation was intended to apprehend suspects linked to the murder. However, several residents later reported being subjected to beatings, harassment and other forms of abuse during the exercise, triggering widespread public outrage.
Subsequently, the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior of the Eighth Parliament investigated the incident and concluded that the actions of the military violated the fundamental rights of civilians.
The committee described the force used against residents as excessive and recommended sanctions against officers involved, as well as compensation for victims.
Three years after the incident, the victims say they are still seeking justice.
Legal process
Speaking to GraphicOnline after a press conference held on March 9, 2026, the lead lawyer for the victims, Emmanuel Kumadey, acknowledged the frustrations surrounding the delay in resolving the matter but stressed that the legal process must be allowed to run its course.
He said some victims sustained serious injuries during the operation, with several requiring medical treatment and spending days in the hospital.
“The wheels of justice grind slowly, but they eventually get to their destination. We do not have any option but to exercise patience and follow the full legal process laid down by the courts,” he said.
Mr Kumadey added that although the victims had hoped the matter would have been resolved earlier, they remained confident that justice would eventually be served.
“They have expressed disappointment, but they still believe justice will be delivered through the legal process,” he added.
Possibility of settlement
Mr Kumadey also indicated that although the victims had opted for the legal route, they remained open to the possibility of an out-of-court settlement if the government showed willingness to address their concerns.
“This is a civil action, so if the government decides to meet the demands we have placed before the court, we are ready to sit down and discuss an amicable settlement,” he said.
He urged the victims to remain patient as the legal proceedings continue and appealed to the public, civil society organisations and professional bodies to support them in their pursuit of justice.
