An Accra District Court has ordered popular Ghanaian musician Black Sherif to pay a total of GH¢229,500 in outstanding rent for his residence at Adjiriganor in Accra.
The order was issued by District Court 1 at Adentan Fafraha after the landlord, Dr. Evelyn Esi Awittor, filed a case claiming that rent on the property had not been paid since August 2024. According to the court, interest has also been accruing on the unpaid amount at the prevailing bank rate.
Black Sherif, whose real name is Mohammed Ismail Sherif, could not be personally served with court documents. As a result, the court approved substituted service. Notices were directed to be posted both at the court premises and at the musician’s residence, located at House No. 4, Recreational Close, NTHC Estate, Adjiriganor.
Despite his absence, the court ruled that the case should continue. In addition to the arrears, Black Sherif has been ordered to pay a monthly rent of $1,700, converted into cedis, until he vacates the property.
The development has surprised many fans, especially given Black Sherif’s rise to fame and success in recent years.
Black Sherif is one of Ghana’s biggest music exports in the last decade. He broke into the mainstream with his emotional drill and highlife fusion sound, gaining massive attention with hits like First Sermon, Second Sermon, and later Kwaku the Traveller, which topped charts locally and beyond. His debut album also received international attention, placing him firmly on the global music map.
He has performed on major international stages and secured deals that positioned him as a global artist, collaborating and working with international labels and platforms. To many observers, this makes the ongoing rent dispute difficult to understand.
But the court filings paint a different picture. According to the landlord, no rent payments have been made for several months, leading to the accumulation of the GH¢229,500 arrears. With Black Sherif yet to personally appear before the court, the judge ruled that the matter could not be delayed indefinitely.
The situation has sparked conversations online about the realities behind fame. While artists may appear successful on stage and on streaming platforms, personal and legal matters can still spiral quietly in the background.
As it stands, Black Sherif is expected to comply with the court order or face further legal consequences as the case proceeds in his absence. The court’s decision makes it clear that celebrity status does not exempt anyone from contractual obligations.
For now, the spotlight has shifted from the stage to the courtroom, and many are watching closely to see how the award-winning musician responds.
