The Supreme Court of Ghana has unanimously overturned garnishee proceedings initiated by the Accra High Court, which had directed seven banks of former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan to justify why over GH₵1 million in judgment debt should not be paid from his accounts.

A five-member panel, chaired by Justice Amadu Omoro Tanko and comprising Justices Yoni Kulendi, Senyo Dzamefe, Prof.

Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, and Yaw Asare Darko, ruled that the ex parte proceedings were improper and therefore must be quashed.

The decision followed an application by Gyan’s legal team, led by Bobby Banson, which challenged the legality of the garnishee orders issued by Justice Owusu Dapaa on November 19, 2024.

While appeals against the execution of the judgment remain pending, a separate High Court, presided over by Justice Nana Brew, had previously granted an ex parte motion by plaintiff Anthony Osarfo, allowing the garnishee process to proceed.

The motion sought to recover GH₵1,061,000, representing damages and costs awarded in a malicious prosecution case.

The banks affected by the earlier order included CBG Bank, Ecobank Ghana, Zenith Bank Ghana, GT Bank, Access Bank Ghana, GCB Bank, and Stanbic Bank Ghana.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Gyan’s lawyers petitioned the Supreme Court, which has now set aside the entire garnishee process.

The apex court further held that the execution of the judgment remains stayed pending the outcome of Gyan’s appeal before the Court of Appeal.

Background to the Case


The dispute originated from a civil suit filed by entertainment journalist Anthony Osarfo, who was acquitted and discharged in a case related to an alleged rape incident involving Gyan.

Osarfo later sued for malicious prosecution, seeking compensation for reputational and financial damages.

On December 8, 2023, Justice Ernest Owusu Dapaa ruled in Osarfo’s favour, awarding GH₵900,000 in general damages, GH₵111,000 for 111 months of lost income, and GH₵60,000 in legal costs — totalling over GH₵1 million.

The Supreme Court’s latest decision therefore marks a major legal victory for Asamoah Gyan as he continues to contest the civil judgment against him.