An Accra High Court has struck out a human rights suit filed on behalf of 11 West African nationals after their lawyers disclosed that they had already been deported to their home countries.

The deportees four Nigerians, three Togolese, two Malians, one Gambian and one Liberian had challenged their detention in Ghana, arguing that they were being held against their will.

According to a 3news.com report on September 23, 2025, they filed an injunction to stop their repatriation and a writ of habeas corpus to compel the state to produce them before the court.

US deported foreigners still in Ghana – Barker-Vormawor alleges

When the case was called on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, presiding judge Justice Priscilla Ofori had directed that the Attorney-General, Chief of Defence Staff and Comptroller-General be served with the applications, describing the matter as one of national and international interest.

Lead counsel for the applicants, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, however, informed the court that the action had become moot because the 11 nationals were deported over the weekend.

He said their applications, which were of an urgent nature, were aimed at preventing this very outcome.

“We had before the court two applications, one for habeas corpus and another for an injunction against repatriation. Unfortunately, when the court declined to grant an interim order last week, the applicants were deported. This is precisely the injury we were seeking to prevent,” Barker-Vormawor stated.

He further cautioned that if the courts did not treat such urgent applications with the sensitivity required, other asylum seekers and refugee claimants would be denied justice, especially under Ghana’s agreement with the United States to accept more displaced persons.

After expressing dissatisfaction with the deportation, Justice Ofori struck out the case as withdrawn, following counsel’s request.

Dr Antwi-Danso questions humanitarian basis of Ghana-US deportee agreement

“The court is not happy with the news of the deportation of the persons on whose behalf these applications were filed. However, since counsel has prayed to withdraw the motions, the matter is hereby struck out as withdrawn,” she ruled.

MRA/VPO

Confusion erupts after 'Igbo king' is allegedly denied handshake with Otumfuo at Manhyia