Wealth, Power & Betrayal: Explosive Child Custody Battle Grips Ghana.

A heated custody battle between a Ghanaian businessman, Nana Kwadwo Adjei, and his ex-partner, Karen Baaba Sam, has taken social media by storm. What initially appeared to be a routine custody dispute has turned into a high-profile legal and social controversy, with allegations of abuse, power play, and legal manipulation.

Karen Baaba Sam and Nana Kwadwo Adjei, a member of the influential East Legon Executive Club, began their relationship in 2016. What started as a “godfather-goddaughter” bond evolved into a romantic relationship, eventually leading to the birth of their daughter, Ohemaa, in 2019.

Despite never being married, the couple raised their child together until their relationship ended in late 2023. Following the breakup, Ohemaa remained with Karen. However, the peace was short-lived as Nana Adjei sought full custody of their daughter.

According to reports by Gossips24 Avenue, the court ruled in favor of partial custody for Nana Adjei, granting him visitation rights. However, Karen allegedly failed to comply with the ruling, prompting Nana Adjei to accuse her of violating the court’s order. Suspecting that she planned to leave the country with their daughter, Nana Adjei reportedly sought an injunction to prevent her from traveling.

In response to Nana Adjei’s request, the court issued an order instructing the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Ghana Immigration Service, and Social Welfare to prevent Karen from traveling abroad with the child.

On January 20, 2025, the Ghana Police Service declared Karen Baaba Sam wanted for allegedly defying the court’s ruling. An official statement was released to the public, sparking widespread debate online. Many initially believed that Karen was attempting to kidnap a child, only for it to be revealed later that she was, in fact, the child’s biological mother.

In her defense, Karen Baaba Sam has alleged that Nana Adjei, a man with significant social influence, has used his wealth and power to make her life unbearable.

Karen revealed that their relationship had been rocky for years, marked by instances of physical abuse. She recalled an incident in December 2018, during her pregnancy, where she was allegedly assaulted by Nana Adjei after he returned home intoxicated. She claims that a friend, Le-Roi, intervened to prevent further harm.

After the birth of their daughter in 2019, Karen alleged that the abuse worsened. She reported an incident to the East Legon Police after suffering a black eye and multiple bruises.

The situation escalated in 2023 when Karen allegedly caught Nana Adjei with another woman at a restaurant. Confronting him about it led to further violence, with Karen claiming that he threw her out of his car in favor of the other woman. Later that night, she says he physically assaulted her again, even attacking two of her relatives who tried to intervene.

In December 2023, Karen officially ended the relationship. However, she claims that Nana Adjei demanded that she return everything he had bought for her, including a Range Rover. Shortly after moving out, she was robbed of most of her valuables, which she believes was no coincidence. She stated that the burglars left behind a gold chain gifted to her by Nana Adjei, which he later requested back.

Following their separation, Karen claims she allowed Nana Adjei to visit their daughter during school breaks. However, she alleges that after learning she had a new partner, Nana became hostile and vowed that she would never see their child again.

The custody battle became more intense when Karen was unable to see her daughter for six weeks. In a turn of events, a relative of Nana Adjei requested Ohemaa’s passport under the pretext of processing travel documents for her. However, when Karen handed over the passport, she was allegedly denied access to her daughter.

Feeling betrayed, Karen sought protective custody through the circuit court. In retaliation, Nana Adjei filed for custody at a district court. The ruling that followed granted Nana Adjei temporary custody of the child until a final judgment was made, allowing Karen only four days per month to visit her daughter.

On the first visitation day after the ruling, Karen refused to return her daughter, claiming that the child always came back from Nana Adjei’s house looking unwell. This further escalated the legal tensions between them.

Karen has since applied for a restraining order against Nana Adjei. However, reports indicate that he claims to have detailed knowledge of her whereabouts, call history, and travel plans, raising concerns about potential surveillance.

This high-profile custody battle has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many questioning whether wealth and influence are being used to manipulate legal proceedings.

Some sympathize with Karen, arguing that a mother should not be deprived of her child based on alleged power dynamics. Others, however, believe that legal orders should be followed, regardless of personal disputes.

Legal experts suggest that the case highlights a broader issue in Ghana’s family court system, where disputes involving influential individuals often attract public scrutiny. The final judgment will determine who gains permanent custody of the child, but for now, the legal battle continues.

The ongoing case between Karen Baaba Sam and Nana Kwadwo Adjei serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in child custody disputes. With allegations of abuse, power struggles, and legal maneuvering, the final outcome remains uncertain.

As the case unfolds, many Ghanaians are watching closely, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the best interests of the child.