Ghanaian rap superstar Michael Owusu Addo, popularly known as Sarkodie, has filed a lawsuit against Ecobank Ghana, accusing the financial institution of violating his intellectual property rights through the unauthorized use of his image or more specifically, the image of someone closely resembling him.
The legal action, filed on March 25, 2025, claims that Ecobank used a lookalike in a promotional campaign, leading the public to believe Sarkodie had endorsed the bank’s services. According to the artiste, this act has caused confusion among fans and the general public, amounting to a misrepresentation of his brand and a breach of his rights.
Sarkodie is seeking a perpetual injunction to bar the bank from using any images that resemble or suggest an affiliation with him. He is also demanding damages for what he believes to be the unauthorized commercial exploitation of his identity.
The rapper, who currently serves as the brand ambassador for First Bank—a direct competitor of Ecobank—argues that the campaign created “brand confusion” and undermined his existing commercial agreements.
Sarkodie’s legal team stressed the seriousness of the matter, stating:
“Using a lookalike of a public figure—especially one with competing endorsements—crosses ethical lines. This wasn’t just misleading; it risked damaging our client’s professional credibility.”
As of now, Ecobank Ghana — the largest bank in the country by asset valuation — has not issued a formal response to the claims.
