BY ERIC ASARE
The Nungua Stool has condemned what it describes as the unlawful invasion and forceful occupation of its ancestral lands at Nmai Djor, accusing Trasacco and the Okpelor Sowah Din Family of Teshie of deploying armed land guards and National Security personnel to illegally develop the area.
The Stool stated that tensions escalated dangerously on Saturday, 10 January 2026, when a shooting incident occurred on the disputed land, endangering lives and threatening public peace and security. Describing the incident as reckless and unacceptable, the Stool raised concerns over alleged political interference, which it claims has emboldened the perpetrators to act in open defiance of ongoing court processes.
According to the Nungua Stool, there is a pending stay of execution and appeal arising from In re Ashalley Botwe (Suit No. L/2970/1993), alongside multiple ongoing legal actions by its grantees against the Okpelor Sowah Din Family. It warned that any entry, development, sale, or interference with the land while these matters remain before the courts constitutes contempt of court, an offence carrying severe legal consequences.
The Stool further stated that the continued activities of Trasacco and the Okpelor Sowah Din Family, despite full knowledge of pending legal proceedings, amount to a deliberate attempt to undermine judicial authority and the administration of justice.
To clarify its position, the Nungua Stool cited several Supreme Court judgments establishing its allodial ownership of Nmai Djor and surrounding areas. Key among them is the 2020 decision in Empire Builders Ltd v. Topkins Enterprises Ltd & Others, which affirmed that the disputed lands, including Nmai Djor, belong to the Nungua Stool, not any Teshie family.
The Stool also referenced the 2023 Supreme Court ruling in Nii Daniel Marley Nai v. Katamanso Stool & Lands Commission, which reaffirmed the historical boundaries of Nungua lands based on an 1892 colonial-era judgment. Additional rulings, including Yehans International Ltd v. Martey Tsuru Family and Benjamin Mensa Otinkorang v. Afotey Adjin, confirm that the Sango Lagoon marks the boundary between Teshie and Nungua, placing Nmai Djor firmly within Nungua territory.
Further undermining the claims of the Okpelor Sowah Din Family, the Stool cited the Supreme Courts 2023 decision in Boi Stool & Others v. Daniel Addoquaye & Others, which invalidated a previous ruling relied upon by the Nuumo Nmashie Family of Teshie to assert ownership of large tracts of land. The Stool noted that the Okpelor Sowah Din Family derives its alleged title from the Nuumo Nmashie Family, making its claims legally untenable.
The Nungua Stool has warned the public and prospective land buyers to exercise extreme caution, stressing that any documents issued by the Okpelor Sowah Din Family regarding Nmai Djor lands are invalid and could lead to financial loss and protracted litigation.
The Stool has issued a final notice to the Okpelor Sowah Din Family to cease and desist from all activities on the land, vowing to pursue criminal prosecution for fraud and contempt of court if the actions continue.
In light of the shooting incident and rising tensions, the Stool has called on the Ghana Police Service, National Security and the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to intervene immediately to restore law and order at Nmai Djor, pending the courts final determination.
The Nungua Stool reaffirmed its commitment to peace, lawful development and the rule of law, insisting that land disputes must be resolved through legal processes rather than force, intimidation, or political influence.
