BY Issah Olegor
Contrary to widespread media reports suggesting that the Supreme Court has cleared former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan of a GH¢1 million judgment debt, verified court records reveal that the country’s highest court merely quashed the procedure used in enforcing the judgment—not the debt itself.
The football talisman and his long-time manager, Samuel Annim Addo, still owe entertainment journalist Osarfo Anthony GH¢1,061,000 in damages and legal costs arising from a 2023 malicious prosecution lawsuit.
Background
The case traces back to a 2015 criminal allegation involving Asamoah Gyan, who was accused of rape and sodomy—charges that were later dismissed by the courts.
Following his acquittal, journalist Osarfo Anthony, who had initially been charged in connection with the alleged extortion of Gyan, sued the footballer and his manager for malicious prosecution.
He claimed that the actions of the duo had destroyed his reputation and caused significant financial losses.
On December 8, 2023, Justice Ernest Owusu Dapaa, sitting as an additional High Court judge, ruled in favour of the journalist.
The court awarded GH¢900,000 in general damages, GH¢111,000 for 111 months of lost income, and GH¢60,000 in legal costs, bringing the total judgment debt to GH¢1,061,000.
The decision was a major legal blow to Asamoah Gyan and his manager, who have since fought to overturn it on appeal.
Stay of Execution
Following the judgment, Asamoah Gyan’s lawyers filed a notice of appeal and a motion for stay of execution. On May 8, 2024, the High Court granted a conditional stay—ordering the football star and his manager to deposit 50% of the total judgment debt with the court’s registrar within 30 days, excluding weekends and public holidays.
The court directed that the amount be invested in a Government of Ghana 182-day Treasury Bill, rolled over until the appeal was concluded.
This arrangement was meant to safeguard both parties—ensuring the journalist could recover his money if Gyan lost, while also securing the deposited funds should the appeal succeed.
However, Asamoah Gyan and his manager failed to meet the 30-day deadline, prompting Osarfo Anthony to seek enforcement through the garnishee process.
Garnishee Proceedings
In response to the defendants’ non-compliance, Osarfo Anthony filed an Ex parte Motion for a Garnishee Order Nisi.
The motion sought to compel several banks—CBG Bank, Ecobank Ghana, Zenith Bank, and GCB Bank, among others—to appear before the High Court and explain why funds in Gyan’s accounts should not be used to satisfy the judgment debt.
The High Court granted the order and summoned the banks to appear.
However, before the process could proceed, Asamoah Gyan’s lawyers filed a certiorari application at the Supreme Court, arguing that the garnishee process was procedurally flawed since it was conducted ex parte rather than on notice to the defendants.
Supreme Court Decision
In October 2025, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Amadu Omoro Tanko, with Justices Yoni Kulendi, Senyo Dzamefe, Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, and Yaw Asare Darko concurring, agreed with Asamoah Gyan’s legal team.
The court ruled that the garnishee process had not followed due process and was therefore invalid.
The Supreme Court consequently quashed the garnishee order issued by the High Court—but did not overturn the underlying judgment debt.
This means that while the enforcement process must restart correctly, the original High Court ruling ordering Asamoah Gyan to pay over GH¢1 million remains in full effect.
Fresh Legal Action and Current Status
Following the Supreme Court’s clarification, Osarfo Anthony’s lawyers, led by Yaw Dankwah, swiftly refiled a Motion on Notice for Decree of Garnishee Nisi.
The new application has already been served on Gyan’s banks, and bailiffs are reportedly attempting to personally serve both Asamoah Gyan and his manager.
The case has now been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the High Court (Financial Court 1) in Accra. On that date, the bankers of Asamoah Gyan and his manager—CBG Bank, Ecobank Ghana, Zenith Bank, and GCB Bank—are expected to appear and show cause why funds in the defendants’ accounts should not be used to pay the judgment creditor.
In essence, while Asamoah Gyan has secured a procedural victory at the Supreme Court, he remains legally indebted to Osarfo Anthony.
The GH¢1,061,000 judgment debt—representing damages and costs—remains valid and enforceable. Until the Court of Appeal determines Gyan’s substantive appeal, his accounts remain under scrutiny, and the case continues to draw public and legal attention
