In a significant ruling, the ECOWAS Court of Justice sitting in Lagos has dismissed a discrimination lawsuit filed by Ghanaian musician, Charles Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, against the Republic of Ghana and its Gaming Commission. The court, in a judgment delivered on Wednesday, ruled that Mensah’s claim of discrimination in connection to a denied endorsement deal lacked sufficient evidence.
The case, identified as Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/25/24, was centered on Mensah’s allegation that he was denied the endorsement deal by a gaming company in Ghana due to the country's Advertising Guidelines. Specifically, Mensah claimed that the Ghanaian law prohibiting the use of celebrities in gaming advertisements violated his rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
However, the court found that the musician failed to provide crucial evidence supporting his claims, including correspondence with the gaming company, the identity of the company, and any directive from the Ghanaian government related to his case.
The Gaming Commission of Ghana had argued that no celebrity, including Mensah, is permitted to endorse gaming products under the country's laws. They also challenged the musician to provide evidence of different treatment for other celebrities under similar circumstances.
The court, presided by Justices Ricardo Gonçalves, Sengu Koroma, and Dupe Atoki, declared that while it had jurisdiction over the matter, Mensah's suit lacked merit and was thus dismissed. This judgment highlights the importance of presenting clear and credible evidence in legal claims of discrimination.
