Woman drags Chief Director at Ministry of Defence to court over threats on her life

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Evans Agbeme Dzikum, is allegedly avoiding a court bailiff after coercing an Accra-based businesswoman, Madam Rebecca Serebour, into signing documents that allowed him to unlawfully seize her luxurious house located at Adjiringanor,

near Transacco Phase Two Area in Accra.

The case, suit number HR/0093/2024, filed in the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court, involves Madam Rebecca Serebour and Nana Amo Yarley as applicants against Dr. Evans Agbeme Dzikum and the Attorney General as respondents.

Attempts to serve Dr. Dzikum with a motion on notice application for the enforcement of fundamental human rights, pursuant to Article 33(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 67 Rules 1 & 2 of C.I 47, have been unsuccessful.

According to an Affidavit of Non-Service by a bailiff, efforts to serve the motion at Dr. Dzikum's office and residence have proved futile.

However, on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Mr. Cerphas Banuodio Boyuoh, the lawyer for the applicants, succeeded in securing an order for substituted service, allowing the bailiff to post the notice on Dr. Dzikum's properties.

Madam Rebecca Serebour and Nana Amo Yarley have accused Dr. Dzikum of sanctioning agents, including soldiers, to threaten her life due to her involvement in a land transaction at Trassacco Phase Two in Accra.

The said land was later claimed by elders from Teshie, who asserted ownership.

An affidavit supporting the application details how Madam Rebecca Serebour and her son, Nana Amo Yarley, faced constant attacks and intimidation from Dr. Dzikum and some military men at the office of the Ministry of Defence.

It also mentions the unlawful detention and imprisonment of Madam Rebecca Serebour and her son at the Ministry of Defence, as

well as harassment by six military men at the behest of Dr. Dzikum.

The affidavit further explains that Dr. Dzikum unlawfully seized a C250 Mercedes Benz (registration number CX 8638-22) belonging to Madam Rebecca Serebour.

It highlights Dr. Dzikum's misuse of his position to instill fear, detain, and abuse Madam Rebecca Serebour and her son, forcing her to sign a document relinquishing her house.

Part of the affidavit reads, "Madam Rebecca Serebour and her son, Nana Amo Yarley, were locked up and detained in a small room at the Ministry of Defence with little to no ventilation for over four hours.

The affidavit pointed out that the applicants were not even allowed to use the toilet at the Ministry of Defence when requested.

"Following their four-hour detention, Dr. Dzikum coerced Madam Rebecca Serebour into signing a document entitled "Demand Notice," purportedly from a lawyer named Kwadwo A. Safo ESQ.

The suit against Dr. Dzikum also includes a civil suit seeking a declaration that Madam Rebecca Serebour merely facilitated the sale of a plot of land from a vendor to Dr. Dzikum.

The affidavit asserts that the coercion of Madam Rebecca Serebour into signing a document relinquishing her house to Dr. Dzikum is null and void. It also calls for the immediate return of the seized C250 Mercedes Benz.

The affidavit indicates that the ordeal caused significant distress, psychological trauma, and fear for safety for Madam Rebecca Serebour and Nana Amo Yarley.

The conflict dates back to 2017, when Madam Rebecca Serebour and Dr. Evans Agbeme Dzikum both sought to purchase land from a vendor at Adjiringanor. Over time, their acquaintance grew into a cordial relationship, and they facilitated several land transactions together.

However, issues arose when Madam Rebecca Serebour facilitated the purchase of a plot of land for Dr. Dzikum, which was later claimed by Teshie elders.

This led to harassment and threats from Dr. Dzikum, demanding that Madam Rebecca Serebour recover the money he paid for the land.

The affidavit concludes that the harassment and threats from Dr. Dzikum have caused sleepless nights for Madam Rebecca Serebour, leading to this legal action.