The Kumasi High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of two suspects, Kenyasehene and Odikro of Buobai, for the alleged sale of state lands, after they failed to appear when the matter was called.
Nine other accused persons, including former Asokore Mampong Municipal Chief Executive, Alidu Seidu, have been remanded in police custody after failing to satisfy their bail conditions.
The court had granted each of them bail in the sum of GH¢800,000, with three justified landed property sureties, but none has so far met the requirements.
The accused persons are facing 12 charges, including conspiracy to falsify land records, fraudulent breach of trust, unlawful occupation of public land, and possession of forged documents.
Prosecutors say the case revolves around a 10.54-acre portion of a 19.06-acre parcel acquired in 1999 by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly for public use.
The land was originally designated for a septage treatment facility after the closure of the landfill site at Ahenema Kokoben
However, the project was halted following opposition from sections of the Buobai community, after which the land became the subject of disputes and alleged encroachment.
In 2014, a committee set up by the Assembly recommended that nine acres be allocated to some affected persons following demolitions and complaints from occupants.
The remaining 10.06 acres were reserved for the construction of a hospital under a revised local plan filed with the Lands Commission.
Prosecutors allege that between June 2020 and January 2021, the land reserved for the hospital was redesignated for residential use without proper authorisation. Investigations indicate that 34 plots were carved out and allocated to five businessmen, with some already occupied and others resold.
Source: Adom Online
