The Court of Appeal in Ghana will hear an appeal filed by Engineer Djanie Kotey against Emirates Airline, challenging the dismissal of his human rights case earlier this year. Kotey’s legal challenge, initially dismissed by the High Court in March, alleges inhumane treatment during his travels and document falsification by the airline.
The dispute stems from a 2018 travel incident during which Kotey, en route from Accra to Macau via Dubai and Bangkok, was denied entry into Macau due to visa issues. He was subsequently detained at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Kotey alleges that Emirates staff confined him to a cold, uncomfortable room for days without medical assistance, despite holding a valid return ticket to Ghana.
The original case, presided over by Justice Nicholas M. C. Abodakpi in Accra’s Human Rights Division, ended in favour of Emirates on March 22, 2024. Now, Kotey is seeking to overturn the ruling, claiming that the airline treated him inhumanely during his travels and submitted falsified documents to mislead the court.
Kotey claims his health deteriorated during the ordeal, leading to conditions such as pneumonia and chronic sleep disturbances. Adding to his grievances, he was compelled to pay for a new ticket on Kenya Airways for $600, despite having already paid Emirates $99 to change his return date. Additionally, the ticket name listed was “Angela Martha Prah,” not Engineer Djanie Kotey.
Central to the appeal are claims of document discrepancies submitted by Emirates during the original trial. Emirates presented a 16-digit ticket number instead of the standard 15 digits and listed another individual’s name on the ticket.Emirates reported a ticket cost of GH₵7,813.20, while Kotey’s actual purchase was GH₵8,550.
Emirates claimed Kotey paid $958 for a ticket change, despite acknowledging his actual payment of $99. Kotey’s legal team argues that these inconsistencies misled the court, leading to the dismissal of his claims.
The outcome of the appeal could have significant repercussions for airline accountability and passenger rights in Ghana. If successful, it may set a precedent requiring airlines to exercise greater transparency in handling grievances and presenting evidence in legal proceedings.
Consumer protection groups and human rights advocates are closely monitoring the case, which highlights the broader challenges passengers face in resolving disputes with international airlines.
