West African Deportees Transferred to Togo Amid Legal Dispute

Lawyers decry violation of rights as US-led deportation deal with Ghana sparks outrage

At least six of the 11 West African nationals deported from the United States to Ghana have now been transferred to Togo, according to their legal representatives. The move comes despite an ongoing legal battle aimed at halting their deportation, raising serious concerns about due process and human rights.

Lawyers Challenge Ghana Government

The group’s lawyers, led by Oliver Barker-Vormawor, had filed a lawsuit against Ghana’s government, seeking to prevent further transfers. They argued that the deportees were being held unlawfully and that their safety could not be guaranteed if they were relocated to other countries. However, the legal action was overtaken by events when the six individuals were quietly moved out of Ghana.

Identities Shrouded in Secrecy

Only three of the six deported to Togo are Togolese nationals. The nationalities of the others remain undisclosed, fueling speculation about how countries were selected to receive the group. Neither Ghana nor Togo has issued an official statement about the deportations, leaving families and observers in the dark.

Case Against Ghana Withdrawn

Following the transfers, the lawyers withdrew their initial case against the Ghanaian government. Barker-Vormawor explained that the sudden deportations made it impossible to bring the detainees before a court or to demand justification for their detention. Nonetheless, he confirmed that a separate lawsuit alleging human rights violations would continue.

Detention Without Legal Grounds

Last week, Barker-Vormawor accused the government of unlawful detention. He noted that the deportees had been held at a military camp despite not violating any Ghanaian law. His team had demanded that the authorities produce the individuals in court to justify their continued confinement, a request the court never acted upon.

Disappointment in Ghana’s Justice System

On Tuesday, Barker-Vormawor voiced frustration with Ghana’s judiciary, saying the courts failed to intervene in time to prevent the deportations. “The court could have acted decisively to stop this,” he said, adding that the system had failed to protect the basic rights of the deportees.

A Controversial Agreement With the US

The deportees were flown into Ghana aboard a US military aircraft, shackled throughout the journey, after spending time in American detention facilities. Their arrival was part of a deal struck between President John Mahama’s administration and the United States. Under the agreement, Ghana accepted not only its own nationals but also citizens from other West African countries on the grounds of regional free movement.

No Compensation for Ghana

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa clarified that Ghana was not receiving financial compensation in exchange for accepting the deportees. He also disclosed that a further 40 deportees are expected in the coming days, intensifying the political debate over the arrangement.

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Opposition Demands Transparency

Members of Ghana’s opposition have condemned the deal, calling for its immediate suspension until it is ratified by Parliament. They have demanded full transparency and accountability, warning that the agreement compromises national sovereignty and potentially endangers deportees sent to unfamiliar or unsafe countries.

Trump’s Hardline Immigration Policy

The mass deportations are part of US President Donald Trump’s aggressive stance on immigration, which he has pledged to enforce at record levels. Human rights groups have criticized the practice of sending people to countries where they may have no ties or legal protections, labeling it reckless and dangerous.

Related Article:

1. US Deportees Challenge Ghana Over ‘Illegal’ Detention

Human Impact and Regional Fallout

The deportees include nationals from Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, and The Gambia. Many of them have little or no connection to Ghana, yet they were sent there under the US-Ghana deal. The case underscores the growing regional and international tensions around Trump-era immigration enforcement, while leaving deportees vulnerable and their rights uncertain.

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