The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, has remanded three men into custody for allegedly engaging in landguard activities at Prampram, near Tema.
The accused – Enock Armah Tachie, alias “Animal”, 44, an estate developer; Francis Nii Armah Boyefio, 26, an ‘okada’ rider; and Alfred Brako, 37, a driver – are facing three charges related to vigilantism and illegal possession of firearms.
They are expected to reappear before the court as their pleas are yet to be taken. Prosecutors told the court that investigations are still ongoing.
The three have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime, specifically prohibition of landguard activities, under Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Section 7(3) of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999).
Court documents indicate that on April 8, 2025, the suspects allegedly organised themselves as landguards and were found guarding a disputed parcel of land on behalf of one Chris Abbossey.
During their arrest, security officials recovered a SAASILMAZ SAR pistol loaded with 34 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Enock Armah Tachie has been separately charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, contrary to the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1972 (NRCD 9), and its 1996 amendment (Act 519).
The case was triggered by a complaint from Dr. Kofi Amoa Abban, an entrepreneur based in East Legon, who had reported incidents of harassment and intimidation by suspected landguards to the Surveillance Unit of the National Operations Directorate.
Acting on the tip-off, a joint security team apprehended the suspects at the site. Investigators say the trio failed to provide credible reasons for their presence on the land and are believed to have ties to a vigilante group operating from Ashaiman.
While Tachie admitted to owning the weapon during preliminary questioning, he denied any involvement in landguard activities. However, checks revealed that the firearm was not registered in his name and that its license had expired.
The court has adjourned the matter to allow for further investigations.
