Derrick Hope Gidzi, a private resident of Tema Community 25, has filed a civil lawsuit against the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) and its Managing Director, Mr. Courage Makafui Nunekpeku, accusing them of unlawfully seizing his land with the help of armed military personnel.
Accordig to court documents filed at the High Court in Tema, Mr. Gidzi alleges that on June 26, 2025 the TDC Managing Director led a team of heavily armed soldiers to forcibly enter his land and commenced unauthorised development works, despite Mr. Gidzi having occupied the property peacefully for over a decade.
“I have exercised exclusive control and possession of the land since I acquired it from the TDC,” Gidzi said in his affidavit, referencing multiple supporting documents and receipts to prove his ownership, which he claims predates Mr. Nunekpeku’s appointment as Managing Director.
Mr.Gidzi further alleges that all construction materials he had gathered on the property, such as stones, sand and cement blocks were destroyed by the team that arrived with Mr. Nunekpeku.
He attached photographs (Exhibit DHG6 series) showing military personnel and workers operating heavy-duty equipment on the disputed land.
In an effort to stop what he terms an “unlawful development” and to prevent further destruction, Mr. Gidzi filed a motion for an interlocutory injunction at the Tema High Court on June 26, 2025.
The motion seeks to restrain the defendants, their agents, and assigns from entering, developing, or selling the land until the case is fully determined by the court.
The plaintiff claims the TDC and its Managing Director are currently building commercial shops on the property, contrary to the residential use he had planned.
He warns that the ongoing development risks permanently altering the character of the land and causing him “irreparable damage.”
Mr. Gidzi also contends that restraining the defendants during the legal proceedings would not cause them any harm, whereas allowing them to proceed unchecked would undermine the justice system and set a dangerous precedent.
The motion was heard by the Tema High Court on July 22, 2025 at 9:00 am and it was adjourned to August 14, 2025.
The Chronicle is following the case closely to give the public a regular update.
