A bench warrant secured for the arrest of Stephen Okutu Kofi alias Kofi Santoe and Benjamin Djanker aka Asaa, who were accused of engaging in unlawful protection of land at Katamanso, has been revoked.
The warrant was revoked by an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, yesterday, after the duo voluntarily presented themselves to the court.
They were granted bail in the sum of GH¢100,000.00, with four sureties who are ordinary citizens and residents of the jurisdiction.
Stephen and Benjamin have also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit a crime, to wit unlawful protection of land, levelled against them.
His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah further ordered them to report once a week to the police and adjourned the case to February 23, 2023.
The accused persons will now stand trial on similar charges with James Okine, an estate developer, Abubakar Issah, unemployed, Kamack Yeboah, caterpillar operator, and Ali Amadu, caterpillar operator, who are all residents of Zenu-Ashaiman, Teiman and Oyibi respectively.
James, Abubaka, Kamach and Ali not guilty pleas had already been taken and are on bail in a total sum if GH¢250,000.00.
Prosecuting the case, ASP Maxwell Oppong said on January 3, 2023, the complainant, Godrich Ardey, reported to the police that his family owns 1.625.474 acres of land at Katamanso with a land title certificate covering the said land.
In addition to the land title certificate, the complainant also holds a Power of Attorney from his family to back his claims.
He also said police investigations had revealed that the complainant’s family has had the said land in their possession for several decades.
However, the court was informed that the complainant’s family had also leased portions of the land to some estate companies which had built estate houses on the land without any challenges.
