50-year-old businessman convicted for illegal installation of in-line pumps on GWL pipeline

The Tamale Circuit Court has convicted 50-year-old businessman, Ibrahim Baako Alhassan, for allegedly installing in-line water pumps illegally on the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) service pipeline.

According to graphic.com.gh, Baako Alhassan faced two charges: illegal use of an in-line pump, contrary to Section 50(c) of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2413), and obstruction of public officers in the execution of their duties.

Presiding over the case on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Francis Asobayire Ayamwune fined Alhassan GH¢3,600, the report said.

Failure to pay will result in a 12-month prison sentence, it added.

Additionally, the court directed him to sign a bond for good behaviour. His wife was also cautioned for allegedly obstructing GWL officials during the operation.

Giving inside details to the matter, the prosecution said that on February 22, 2025, Ghana Water Limited (GWL) received complaints from residents of Sakasaka, a suburb of Tamale, about disruptions in their water supply.

Despite water flowing through the network, many households were not receiving any, while one individual was allegedly accessing and selling water to residents.

Upon investigation, GWL’s Loss Control Team discovered that the accused, Ibrahim Baako Alhassan, had illegally installed an in-line pump at his residence. This unauthorised installation was drawing excessive amounts of water, reducing pressure within the distribution system and depriving neighboring households of their supply.

The team promptly disconnected the illegal setup, and Alhassan was fined, which he paid.

However, during a routine inspection on May 2, 2025, authorities found that Alhassan had reconnected the in-line pump. When GWL officers attempted to access the installation, he reportedly obstructed them, leading to police intervention.

Further inspections on May 5 and 6 uncovered three pumps at his residence, two of which were illegally installed on the GWL network.

Following these discoveries, water supply to his property was disconnected, and he was fined GH¢7,694.80 for penalties and outstanding arrears.

VKB/AE

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