A Singaporean businessman, Toh You Kang, has recounted what he describes as a terrifying ordeal allegedly orchestrated by Ghanaian politician Emmanuel Nii Ashie-Moore, involving armed men and elements of the Ghana Police Service.
In a detailed motion filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, Kang alleges he was physically assaulted, held incommunicado, and subjected to degrading treatment in an attempt to extort $3 million from him.
Kang stated that his nightmare began when he arrived in Ghana on May 28, 2025, for what he believed would be a three-day business visit at Ashie-Moore’s invitation.
According to court documents, Kang said was instead driven to a private residence guarded by armed men where he was pressured to pay $3 million.
Kang said alleged that Ashie-Moore accused him of withholding money transferred by Mrs. Liang Liu Bing, a mutual business associate who had introduced the two men.
Shocked by the accusation, Kang claimd Ashie-Moore threatened to unleash his political influence to make his stay in Ghana unbearable unless he complied.
Beatings, threats, and confiscations
The businessman’s affidavit recounts that, at Ashie-Moore’s instruction, the armed men beat him while demanding the money. His mobile phone, credit cards, and $10,000 in cash were allegedly seized by Ashie-Moore.
After the assault, Kang said he was forcibly taken to a police station, where Ashie-Moore filed a formal complaint accusing him of defrauding him of $3 million.
There, according to Kang, his ordeal continued under degrading and unlawful conditions.
He claimed that he was denied access to legal representation, prevented from contacting friends or associates, and held incommunicado.
No legal aid, no contact, and a false narrative
Kang alleged that Ashie-Moore instructed police officers not to allow him any form of communication.
While he was being held without bail at the Dansoman Circuit Court’s direction, Kang said Ashie-Moore allegedly contacted his brother overseas with a fabricated story.
According to the affidavit, Ashie-Moore told Kang’s brother that he had been arrested for defrauding Chinese and Ghanaian nationals of $5 million, and that he would be released only if the full amount was paid. Otherwise, he would “rot in jail.”
Photos of Kang in police custody at the Accra Regional Command were reportedly sent to his brother as evidence of the seriousness of the situation and as a scare tactic to force payment.
Singaporean authorities intervene
Alarmed by the situation, Kang’s brother reported the matter to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which in turn instructed the Singaporean Embassy in Accra to secure legal counsel on Kang’s behalf.
That intervention, Kang said, paved the way for the current legal action filed against Ashie-Moore in the Human Rights Court.
Through his lawyer, Cephas Boyuo, Kang is seeking compensation for the violation of his fundamental human rights, including unlawful detention, denial of legal counsel, physical abuse, and extortion.
Kang also seeks to recover $800,000 he claims to have paid earlier for a now-defunct business deal allegedly brokered by Ashie-Moore involving the Electricity Company of Ghana.
Ashie-Moore yet to respond
As of press time, Ashie-Moore has not publicly responded to the allegations leveled against him.
The Ghana Police Service is also yet to comment on the claims of complicity.
