Ghanaian rapper Medikal is now facing legal pressure after a High Court in Accra approved a motion for substituted service in a copyright infringement case brought against him by gospel group Alabaster Box.
The legal action stems from allegations that Medikal unlawfully sampled Alabaster Box’s classic track “Akwaaba” in his song “Welcome to Africa.” The group is demanding GH₵15 million in damages, citing both infringement and reputational harm due to what they describe as the offensive content of the rapper’s track.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts to personally serve the writ of summons, the gospel group’s lawyers petitioned the court for substituted service. On June 12, 2025, the court granted the request, allowing legal documents to be delivered through Medikal’s verified social media platforms and his manager’s WhatsApp, in addition to being posted on the High Court’s notice board.
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The court’s directive reads:
i) By pasting a copy of the Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim on the High Court Notice Board, Law Court Complex in Accra.
ii) By serving copies of the Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim on Defendant through his verified social media handles on Facebook, Instagram and X namely; Medikal, amgmedikal and Medikalbyk respectively.
iii) By serving a copy through the defendant’s Manager, Kofi Jam on his registered WhatsApp number.
Alabaster Box alleges that the first ten seconds of Medikal’s track are a direct derivative of their original work. The group, which has toured globally and once performed for Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey, argues that the rapper’s version, laced with “expressive profanity, vulgarity and unprintable words”, has negatively impacted their brand.
In their suit, they assert ownership of exclusive rights to “Akwaaba” in both Ghana and the UK. They are seeking GH₵10 million in compensation for copyright violation and an additional GH₵5 million in exemplary damages, citing Medikal’s deliberate misuse of their music and the damage caused to their reputation.
Further, they are asking the court to compel Medikal to provide an account of all earnings from the song and to remove it from all streaming platforms.
