Military and Police Invade Nungua Stool Lands at Borteyman/Adjiringanor, Demolish Structures Without Court Order

In a controversial and alarming operation, faceless military and police personnel have invaded lands belonging to the Nungua Traditional Stool in Borteyman/Adjiringanor, illegally demolishing buildings and other structures on the land without a court order.

The operation, allegedly led by Captain Koda (rtd), is proceeding despite ongoing litigation over the parcel of land currently before an Accra High Court, Land Division 8, in Suit No: L/2970/93, Adjetey Agbosu and others Vs. Ebenezer Nikoi Kotey and others. Investigations revealed that the parties involved in the litigation are still awaiting a final verdict. Yet, the military and police personnel are flagrantly disregarding the court process, destroying properties owned by individuals recognized by the Nungua Stool.

During a press conference held on October 30, the Nungua Traditional Stool called on potential developers to regularize their land ownership through the Nungua Stool Secretariat.

King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III, the Nungua Mantse and Vice-President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, urged the general public to deal exclusively with the Nungua Stool when acquiring land in the area.

“As the Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area and the occupant of the Nungua Stool, I am sounding a warning to unscrupulous encroachers, whether individuals or groups, on the Borteyman/Adjiringanor lands to desist from their actions immediately before they face the full rigors of the law,” stated King Odaifio Welentsi III.

He hinted that by the end of this year, the Secretariat would embark on a massive exercise, “which you can call it demolition if you wish,” he added. However, he assured genuine landowners of “fatherly care” and stressed they were “in safe hands.”

The Nungua Mantse referenced a Supreme Court decision from December 2020, which reaffirmed the Nungua Stool as the rightful owners of the Adjiriganor/Borteyman lands, dismissing claims from Empire Builders (Plaintiff), Emesto Taricone (Respondent), Top Kings Enterprise Limited (Respondent), and the Nungua Stool (Respondent) in the suit titled: Civil Appeal No. J4/10/2019.

He added that this was after both an Accra High Court and Court of Appeal had pronounced similar judgments on the same case in June 2003 and December 2014, respectively. However, a plaintiff (Empire Builders), being dissatisfied with the decisions of both courts, referred the case to the Supreme Court.

“Conclusively adjudged that Empire Builders, the developers of the estate mentioned, at all material times acquired no form of interest in any land from the Nungua Stool, and that includes the land on which the aforementioned estate is situated,” the Supreme Court ruled.

“In the circumstances, we find that there is no sufficient basis in law for any appellant interference with the findings of fact made by the Trial Court as affirmed by the Court of Appeal and consequently no reason to disturb the order giving effect to those findings and conclusions made by the judgment of the Court of Appeal,” it further ruled.

King Odaifio Welentsi III advised the management of Empire Builders Ltd. to resolve disputes through the courts rather than fighting the Nungua Stool and its clients through press conferences and the use of land guards.

“Interestingly and surprisingly, nowhere in the said judgments were Empire Builders given possession of any portion of the disputed land,” he emphasized. Adding, “They should respect the rule of law and the Nungua Stool.”

He stressed the need for public dealings to be exclusively with the Nungua Stool and Top Kings Enterprise Ltd, as they have been adjudged the rightful owners of the aforementioned area.

Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, a former Greater Accra Regional Minister, underscored the necessity of the press conference, citing issues faced by their surveyors and supervisors, who were reportedly harassed by the developers.

He advised the youth of Nungua and others to desist from selling the lands without the permission of the elders.

The press conference saw attendance from Divisional and Sub-Divisional Chiefs, Queen Mothers of the Nungua Traditional Council, and residents of the Trasacco Valley Estates. The Nungua Traditional Stool continues to assert its ownership and protect its land amidst these ongoing conflicts.

Source:dailydemocratnewsonline.com