The Circuit Court 7 in Accra, presided over by Isaac Addo, sitting in for Her Honour Sedinam Awo Kwadam, has granted bail to one of the accused persons in a land fraud case involving over GH¢292,000.
Jonas Ohene Agyemang Kena, a 48-year-old trader (A1), has been admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢160,000 with one surety. His co-accused, Nii Bortey Abeku, a 40-year-old businessman (A2) was absent in court.
The case, titled The Republic vs. Jonas Ohene Agyemang Kena and Nii Bortey Abeku, centers on the alleged fraudulent sale of state land at Klagon-Nungua in the Greater Accra Region.
Mr. Addo urged the prosecutor to amend the charge sheet, noting that A2 has not admitted to the offences as currently stated, despite earlier police cautioned statements.
Counsel for the accused, Francis Jagati, made a passionate submission, praying the court to discharge his client entirely, arguing that “the facts do not support the charge.”
The court ruled to grant bail and adjourned the case to September 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. for further hearing.
Agyemang pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit a crime – fraudulent transaction of land, fraudulent sale of one-plot of land for GH¢100,000 and fraudulent sale of a half-plot for GH¢60,000.
According to Chief Inspector Daniel Appiah-Ofori, the complainant, Augustine Jude Tetteh Quarshie, a truck driver based in the United States, was lured into purchasing land by A1, whom he considered a friend.
In March 2024, A1 allegedly sold him a full plot and a half plot of land at Klagon for a combined price of GH¢160,000 collecting an additional GH¢32,000 in documentation fees.
The complainant also paid A1 GH¢107,639 for clearing the land and building a fence wall. However, upon visiting Ghana, he discovered that the land belonged to the state and was under the control of the Tema Development Corporation (TDC).
A search at the Lands Commission confirmed the land was not for private sale.
Upon arrest, A1 implicated A2 as the original seller of the land. A2 allegedly admitted to selling the land to A1 but could not produce documentation to support a claim that the land had been released to the Nungua Stool.
The court has directed the prosecution to consider revising its charge sheet in light of the inconsistencies in the accused persons’ statements and the evidence available. A2’s absence was noted, and his status is expected to be addressed at the next court sitting.
