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Gospel acappella group Alabaster Box has taken a significant step in its legal battle with rapper Samuel Adu Frimpong, popularly known as Medikal, over alleged copyright infringement.

The group has secured permission from the High Court in Accra to serve the artiste with court documents through substituted service.

A certified true copy of the court order, sighted by myjoyonline.com, shows that on 4th June 2025, Justice John Bosco Nabarese granted the request after Medikal reportedly evaded several attempts at personal service.

The ruling, signed by Justice John Bosco Nabarese of the High Court, General Jurisdiction (4), Accra, allows Alabaster Box to serve Medikal the writ of summons and statement of claim via alternative means. This includes posting the documents on the High Court notice board, sending them through Medikal’s verified social media handles on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, and also delivering the documents to his WhatsApp number through his road manager, Kofi.

The application was supported by an affidavit sworn by Muwazalla Ayouba, who detailed efforts made to serve Medikal at his known residence at Spintex Road, Accra. Counsel Akua Hari Ohemeng, who held brief for Richard Subseraa Esq., made submissions on behalf of Alabaster Box.

The lawsuit, filed in April 2025, accuses Medikal of copyright infringement for allegedly sampling Alabaster Box’s hit song Akwaaba in his track Welcome to Africa without authorisation. The gospel group is claiming an award of general damages of Medikal’s infringing conduct in the sum of Ten Million Ghana Cedis (GH₵10 million). They also demand exemplary damages in the sum of Five Million Ghana Cedis (GH₵5 million) for Medikal’s action and for attaching their brand to profane lyrics in his song – GHS5 million.

The order for substituted service marks a significant step forward for the plaintiffs, who claim Medikal has deliberately evaded attempts to be served. With the court now authorising service via social media and other indirect means, the case is expected to proceed in the coming weeks.

The court directed that the processes, along with the order, shall remain posted for a period of 21 days. The registrar, Doris Dansowaa, signed and stamped the order as a certified true copy.

As of now, Medikal has not publicly responded to the claims. However, the development adds a new layer to the legal battle, which is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile copyright disputes in Ghana’s music industry in recent years.