Two private security men have been remanded into police custody by the Achimota Circuit Court for allegedly engaging in land guard activities and unlawfully possessing military uniforms to intimidate residents at Bortaiman in the Greater Accra Region.
The accused persons — Benjamin Takyi, 33, and Alexander Gyabi, 20 — pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Her Honour Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong on Monday.
They were charged on two counts: prohibition of activities of land guards, contrary to Section 7(1) of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), and restriction on the use of military uniforms and equipment, contrary to Section 1 of NRCD 177 of 1967.
According to the facts presented by the prosecutor, ASP Stephen Ahiale, the complainant, King Adu Francis, a businessman residing at Tema, legally acquired a plot of land at Bortaiman from the Nungua Traditional Council and fenced it off in February 2025 to prevent encroachment.
On October 26, 2025, at about 9:00 a.m., the complainant reportedly sent his workers to the land to construct two gate pillars. While they were working, the first accused, Benjamin Takyi, allegedly armed with a pump-action gun, knives, and sticks, stormed the site with four others — Kinsley Adjei, Adjeman William, Isaac Owusu, and Isaac Adjeman, who are currently at large — and attacked the workers.
Police, acting on a distress call, proceeded to the scene and arrested Takyi, while his accomplices fled into a nearby bush. Upon interrogation, Takyi admitted that he had been aided by Kinsley Adjei to confront the workers.
The following day, October 27, police revisited the area and arrested the second accused, Alexander Gyabi, who was found in possession of military uniforms without lawful authority.
Gyabi told investigators that the uniforms belonged to a friend identified as Emmanuel Takor.
Investigations, according to the prosecutor, revealed that the accused persons and their accomplices are part of a group of land guards allegedly terrorizing residents of Bortaiman and its environs.
The court has remanded Benjamin Takyi and Alexander Gyabi into police custody to reappear on November 10, 2025. A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of the remaining suspects who are currently on the run.
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