Agent, 5 others stand trial over land dispute

By Helena Selby

 

An Estate Agent and five others are standing trial at an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly firing gun shots at the Director of the New Castle Gate Estates, over a land dispute.

The accused persons are Francis Ala Lomo, an Estate Agent, Joseph Boadu, Football Coach, Francis Nii Adjei Lomo, Computer Technician, Richard Nii Adjei Okoe, Electrician, Frank Lewis Sai Laryea, Interior Decorator, and one Daniel, currently at large.

The accused persons, who had threatened to kill the complainant, allegedly fired gun shots at him and his workers during a construction project on the 147.7 acres of land.

They allegedly ended up shooting at the vehicles, motorbikes and barrels on the land and causing damage to the properties all belonging to the complainant.

All accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit crime, causing unlawful damage and threat of death, when they appeared before the court, presided over by Mrs. Adwoa Coleman.

They have been remanded into custody to re-appear before the court on October 17, 2012.

The facts are that on March 20, 2000, the complainant acquired 147.7 acres of land located at Katamanso, near Ashiyie, from Nii Otu Akwetey IX, which he registered the lease documents with the Lands Commission Secretariat, Accra.

The Prosecutor, DSP Aidan Dery, told the court that the complainant in his effort to prevent encroachment, started grading the land and at the same time putting up four single bedroom structure on the corners of the land, to accommodate his caretakers.

According to him, on September 26, 2012, the accused persons laying claim to the land on behalf of their family, caused willful destruction to all the single rooms.

“A report was made to the police and whilst investigation was on going, the accused persons, wielding guns, cutlass and other offensive weapons, threatened to kill the complainant and his work men, chased them out of the land amidst firing of gunshots”, the prosecutor told the court.

DSP Dery said the accused persons fired severally into two vehicles, two motor bikes and four barrels on the land, belonging to the complainant, which resulted in the arrest of all accused persons on October 9, 2012, with the exception of Daniel, the sixth accused person.

 

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