The Accra High Court has taken a modern approach in the copyright infringement lawsuit between gospel a cappella group Alabaster Box and rapper Samuel Adu Frimpong, popularly known as Medikal, by granting permission for substituted service via social media and WhatsApp.
This decision, issued by Justice John Bosco Nabarese on June 12, 2025, comes after Alabaster Box filed a motion citing failed attempts to serve Medikal through traditional legal channels. The ruling allows court documents to be delivered to the rapper via his official Facebook, Instagram (@amgmedikal), and X (@AmgMedikal) accounts, as well as through his manager, Kofi Jam, via WhatsApp. Additionally, a physical copy will be posted on the High Court Notice Board in Accra.
The legal action, filed in April 2025, alleges that Medikal’s track “Welcome to Africa” unlawfully samples and mirrors lyrics from Alabaster Box’s song “Akwaaba.” The group claims the rapper used the first 10 seconds of their song and included similar themes and phrases without permission. The substituted service will be active for 21 days, during which the defendant is expected to respond.
