A group of 11 West Africans deported from the United States has filed a lawsuit against the government of Ghana, alleging unlawful detention and violation of their rights after being sent to the country despite holding deportation protection orders from US immigration authorities.
The plaintiffs from Nigeria, Togo, Gambia, Liberia and Mali said they have been held without charge and denied proper legal access since their arrival in Ghana earlier this month. Their lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, confirmed on Friday that he is seeking their immediate release and an order to prevent their removal to their countries of origin.
The suit follows President John Mahama’s disclosure last week that his government struck a deal with Washington to accept deportees from across West Africa under US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Deportations to Ghana reportedly began in early September, with details of the arrivals, including their current location — believed to be a military facility — kept secret by authorities.
Barker-Vormawor argued that his clients were asylum seekers in the US facing persecution linked to religion, politics, or sexual orientation. He stressed that they had not violated any Ghanaian laws and should not be detained.
The deportation arrangement comes amid criticism of the Trump administration’s policy of sending immigrants to third countries, including reports of deportees being transferred to a notorious prison in El Salvador.
