Let courts intervene in land disputes

Kpando, Nov. 22, GNA - A Kpando Circuit Court Judge, Mr Justin Dorgu has called on traditional rulers and opinion leaders to seek the intervention of the Courts in settling land disputes rather than resort to the use of force in such matters.

Mr Dorgu gave the advice when three persons were brought before him for allegedly conspiring, stealing and destroying crops on a piece of land at Golokwati in the Hohoe District.

The accused persons, Raymond Hade, driver, Ishmael Atsu, farmer and Seth Atsu, barber, who pleaded not guilty, were remanded in prison custody until December 1.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector, Mr Samuel Gbedemah said early this year, the complainant, Mr Francis Ganyo, an Electrical Engineer with the Korean Embassy, started developing a piece of land at Golokwati, which he said was bequeathed to him by his late father. He said on September 11, this year, the accused persons conspired and stole 20 bundles of wire mesh, and destroyed 300 palm seedlings all valued at 17.2 million cedis on the land.

Mr Gbedemah said the accused persons allegedly hid the mesh in an uncompleted house in Golokwati but were arrested following a tip-off. He said the accused persons told the Golokwati Police that they were instructed by a certain Asafoatse of Golokwati, to destroy the palm seedlings, but could not mention his name.