Sarkodie drags Ecobank Ghana to court over breach of intellectual property rights

By: Nii Ammui Fio | 2 mins read

Celebrated Ghanaian hip-life artiste Michael Owusu Addo, widely known as Sarkodie, has launched legal action against Ecobank Ghana—the nation’s largest bank by asset valuation—alleging unauthorized use of his image in connection with the bank’s products.

The lawsuit, initiated on March 25, 2025, asserts that Ecobank Ghana used Sarkodie’s image without his consent, a move that the musician argues constitutes a clear infringement of his intellectual property rights.

Central to the suit is a demand for a “perpetual injunction” that would permanently restrain the bank from associating his image with its products and services.

In the detailed legal claim, the Plaintiff seeks the following relief from the Defendant:

A declaration that Ecobank Ghana’s publication of Sarkodie’s image in relation to its products breaches the artiste’s intellectual property rights.

A declaration that the bank’s conduct is in violation of the Protection Against Unfair Competition Act, 2000 (Act 589).

An order for a perpetual injunction to prevent the Defendant, including its agents and assigns, from using Sarkodie’s image without his consent.

An order mandating the withdrawal of all publications featuring his image in relation to the bank’s products.

An order for the Defendant to compensate Sarkodie with damages for the unauthorized commercial exploitation of his image.

Payment of costs.

Sarkodie’s legal team contends that by leveraging his image, Ecobank Ghana has not only exploited his fame for commercial gain but also violated established legal protections governing intellectual property and fair competition. As the case proceeds, industry watchers and legal experts alike will be monitoring the developments closely.

The outcome of the suit could have significant implications for the enforcement of intellectual property rights in Ghana, particularly in cases where celebrity endorsements and corporate promotions intersect without proper authorization.