Ghanaian lawyer sues KLM, Ethiopian Airlines over failed Canada trip

A Ghanaian lawyer and her brother have sued KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines after they were allegedly prevented from travelling to Canada for the 2025 International Bar Association conference.

Esther Addai, an associate at Sam Okudzeto and Associates, and Isaac Addai filed two separate suits at the General Jurisdiction High Court on Friday, May 15, 2026.

The writs were signed by their lawyer, Diana Asonaba Dapaah.

The plaintiffs say the airlines breached their contracts of carriage and subjected them to embarrassment, stress and financial loss.

In the case against KLM, the Addais say they bought valid tickets on October 3, 2025, for a trip from Accra to Toronto.

They were scheduled to depart on October 28, 2025, and return on November 9.

They say they had valid Ghanaian passports and Canadian Temporary Resident Visas.

According to their statement of claim, when they arrived at the Kotoka International Airport for check-in, KLM officials asked them to step aside and produce their travel documents, hotel reservation, IBA conference registration and proof of occupation.

They say they were then questioned for about two hours about their visa application, education, family background and other matters.

The plaintiffs claim they later learnt that the questioning was because their Canadian visas had been issued two years earlier and were being used for the first time.

They say KLM officials also referred to concerns that some travellers transit through Amsterdam and later seek asylum.

After the interrogation, the airline allegedly refused to allow them to board.

The plaintiffs say KLM claimed their visas needed “re-validation” before they could travel.

They argue that the airline gave no documentary proof that the visas had been cancelled, revoked or declared invalid.

They further contend that the alleged requirement for visa re-validation has no basis under Canadian or Ghanaian immigration law.

In the separate action against Ethiopian Airlines, the plaintiffs say they bought another set of tickets on October 30, 2025, for travel from Accra to Toronto.

They were flown from Accra to Addis Ababa but were allegedly denied onward travel to Canada.

According to the suit, Ethiopian Airlines officials told them their passports had been flagged by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

The plaintiffs say they later contacted IRCC about the alleged re-validation issue.

They claim IRCC confirmed by email on February 4, 2026, that their visas were valid for travel.

They argue that this showed there was no basis for Ethiopian Airlines to stop their journey and return them to Accra.

The Addais also contend that, under Canadian immigration law, a Temporary Resident Visa remains valid until expiry unless formally cancelled or revoked by the issuing authority.

They say Ethiopian Airlines had already checked and accepted the same documents in Accra before boarding them to Addis Ababa.

They argue that proper checks should have been done before departure from Accra to avoid the embarrassment and deportation experience in Addis Ababa.

The plaintiffs are seeking several reliefs against both airlines.

They want the court to declare that the refusal to carry them to Canada was wrongful, unlawful and a breach of contract.

They are also asking for written apologies from KLM and Ethiopian Airlines.

Other claims include a refund of ticket costs, recovery of non-refundable IBA conference registration fees, the cost of pre-booked accommodation in Toronto valued at $1,804.26, and general damages of GH¢5 million for each plaintiff.