The ECOWAS Court of Justice, sitting in Lagos, has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Ghanaian artist Charles Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, against the Republic of Ghana and its Gaming Commission.
In case No. ECW/CCJ/APP/25/24, the musician alleged that he was unfairly denied an endorsement deal by a Ghana-based gaming company due to Guideline VII of Ghana’s Advertising Guidelines, which bans the use of celebrities in gambling advertisements. Shatta Wale claimed this amounted to discrimination and a violation of his rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
However, the court ruled that Mensah failed to prove he was subjected to discriminatory treatment. The panel noted that he did not provide sufficient evidence, including any correspondence with the gaming company or the identity of the company involved—both of which were considered critical to the case.
Ghana’s government denied the claims, stating that the advertising ban applies to all celebrities equally. They challenged the musician to show evidence of other celebrities being treated differently, which he failed to do.
While the court confirmed it had jurisdiction over the matter and deemed the case admissible, it ultimately dismissed the suit due to lack of merit.
The ruling was delivered by Justices Ricardo Gonçalves (presiding), Sengu Koroma, and Dupe Atoki.
