Supreme Court halts garnishee proceedings against Asamoah Gyan over GH₵1m judgment debt

The Supreme Court has set aside garnishee proceedings initiated against former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan, pausing efforts to retrieve over GH₵1 million from his bank accounts while his appeal remains pending.

A five-member panel, presided over by Justice Amadu Omoro Tanko and including Justices Yoni Kulendi, Senyo Dzamefe, Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, and Yaw Asare Darko, unanimously quashed ex parte orders previously issued by the High Court that directed seven financial institutions — including CBG, Ecobank, Zenith, GT, Access, GCB, and Stanbic Banks — to show cause why Gyan’s funds should not be used to satisfy a GH₵1.06 million judgment debt.

The case originates from a malicious prosecution suit filed by journalist Osarfo Anthony, who was acquitted in a criminal case linked to an alleged rape incident involving Gyan.

In December 2023, the High Court awarded Anthony GH₵900,000 in general damages, GH₵111,000 in lost income, and GH₵60,000 in costs against Gyan and his manager.

Although Gyan has filed an appeal and requested a stay of execution, the plaintiff obtained ex parte garnishee orders in July 2024 to freeze his accounts.

Gyan’s legal team, led by Bobby Banson, argued that enforcing the judgment while the appeal was active was procedurally improper.

The Supreme Court agreed, ruling that the High Court’s ex parte order was irregular and must be set aside.

With this decision, enforcement of the judgment remains suspended until the Court of Appeal determines both the stay of execution and the substantive appeal.