Single Mother Sues Ex-partner For Contempt Of Court

Karen Baaba Sam, a thirty-year-old Ghanaian mother, has filed a contempt application at the Accra High Court against the father of her daughter, Nana Kwadwo Adjei, alleging that he retrieved their six-year-old daughter’s passport from the court registry in contravention of an existing court order.

The said order, issued on 24th March 2025, directed that the passport be deposited with the court and released only upon mutual notice to both parties.

Legal representatives of Ms Sam filed the motion on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the General Jurisdiction High Court, seeking an order to commit Mr Adjei for contempt.

Ms Sam’s position

In her affidavit in support of the motion, Ms Sam stated that on 13th June 2025, she applied to the Family Tribunal for the release of her daughter’s passport and further directions on the ongoing custody proceedings.

The application was scheduled to be moved on 3rd July 2025.

She indicated that her legal team was later informed that, on 12th June 2025, the Respondent allegedly visited the registry and took possession of the passport, which had been held in compliance with the earlier court order.

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Ms Sam further deposed that a day prior to that, on 11 June 2025, Mr Adjei reportedly went to their daughter’s school in an attempt to pick her up, despite the court’s directives on custodial arrangements.

She noted that the attempt was unsuccessful because she had already collected the child and had formally notified the school.

She also stated that the Respondent subsequently filed contempt proceedings against her on 23 June 2025, asserting that she had breached the standing court order by collecting their daughter from school.

Ms Sam, however, maintains that the Family Tribunal has affirmed her statutory right to the child’s primary care.

She contends that Mr Adjei failed to disclose his own actions regarding the passport in his contempt application and argues that such omissions could mislead the court.

Alleged disregard for Court authority

According to Ms Sam, the Respondent’s actions demonstrate disregard for the authority of the court, and she believes that, unless addressed, such conduct may persist.

She is therefore seeking that the court enforces appropriate sanctions and directs that the passport be returned to its custody.

Background

Ms Sam has, in the past, shared personal accounts of challenges encountered during her former relationship with Mr Adjei, which she says began in 2016 and evolved into a contentious custody dispute.

She recalls that tensions arose during the latter stages of the relationship, particularly around the time of her pregnancy in 2018.

She describes experiencing distressing episodes, including reported altercations, which prompted her to eventually separate from Mr Adjei in late 2023.

Following the separation, Ms Sam reports that she relocated with her daughter. She also disclosed that an incident occurred at her new residence, during which she was robbed.

While the circumstances surrounding the robbery remain unclear, she noted that it coincided with other challenges she was facing at the time.

Law enforcement reportedly provided security support in the aftermath.

Both parties are now before the courts, seeking resolution through legal channels concerning the welfare of their child.

Note: This report is based on documents filed in court. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent of any wrongdoing unless and until proven otherwise in a court of law.

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