Popular Ghanaian artist Samuel Adu Frimpong, known as Medikal, is facing serious legal trouble after being accused of stealing parts of a hit song by the legendary group The Alabaster Box.
The group, creators of the famous song “Akwaaba”, meaning “Welcome”, claims Medikal used a 10-second sample from their track in his new song “Welcome to Africa” without permission.
Their lawyers, Sustineri Attorneys, sent a strongly worded letter demanding Medikal remove the song immediately.
The Alabaster Box says they ‘have owned “Akwaaba” for over 20 years, performing it worldwide and selling it commercially.
They argue Medikal’s song copies their work too closely, from the music to the title, and even the lyrics.
The evidence shows Medikal’s song is already a hit, with more than 72,000 views on YouTube, 7,900 likes, over 1,000 comments, and airplay on radio and streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Boomplay.
The Alabaster Box claims Medikal is making money off their work illegally and even falsely claimed “all rights reserved” on the song.
The group’s lawyers have given Medikal an ultimatum- demanding him to remove the song from all platforms immediately, stop performing or selling the song, provide financial records showing how much money the song has made, and name everyone he shared the song with.
If Medikal ignores these demands, the group says it will take him to court, seeking a ban on the song’s distribution, destruction of all copies, and payment for damages plus extra fines for what they call “intentional theft.”
So far, Medikal has not responded publicly.
This case could set an important precedent for copyright protection in African music.
The Alabaster Box’s lawyer, Richard Nunekpeku, can be reached for comment at [email protected] or +233243717144
