14-Year-Old Wins Case After Parents Trick Him Into Moving to Africa
A 14-year-old London boy has won a major legal appeal after being tricked into going to a boarding school in Ghana by his parents, who feared he was being drawn into gang culture.
In March 2024, the boy was told he was visiting an ill relative, but instead was left in Ghana to attend school. Unhappy and feeling “abandoned,” he found lawyers and challenged his parents in court.
Although the High Court initially sided with the parents, ruling they acted out of love to protect their son, the Court of Appeal has now overturned that decision, saying the previous judge failed to fully consider the boy’s rights, welfare, and maturity.
The boy, described by his legal team as “culturally displaced and alienated,” said he felt like he was “living in hell” and struggled to understand the school environment in Ghana.
His solicitor, James Netto, called the ruling “hugely significant,” saying it highlights the importance of listening to young people in legal decisions that deeply impact their lives.
The case raises key questions about the balance between parental authority and a child’s legal autonomy, especially in cross-border family disputes.
The case will be reheard by a different judge in the coming weeks, with a full written decision to follow.
