Daniel Dagba secures release of vehicle seized since 2022 over judgment debt

The Daniel Dagba-led Akatsi South Municipal Assembly has recorded a major legal breakthrough after the Sogakope High Court ordered the release of an official Assembly vehicle that had remained under court seizure since 2022 following a long-running land compensation dispute.

The vehicle was originally confiscated under a writ of fieri facias after the then Akatsi South District Assembly failed to satisfy a court judgment in favour of the Anakpa family of Yaluvi, who had sued the Assembly over compensation for land acquired for the construction of the District Assembly offices and the District Chief Executive's residence.

Court records indicate that the legal dispute stemmed from land released to the Assembly in 1990. After years of unsuccessful efforts to secure compensation, the Anakpa family instituted legal action in 2018. Judgment was subsequently entered against the Assembly, and following its failure to settle the debt, the court ordered the seizure of an official Toyota Hilux pickup.

Upon assuming office as Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Daniel Dagba initiated efforts to recover the Assembly's seized assets. He directed investigations through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to establish the ownership status of the affected vehicles.

The investigations confirmed that some of the seized vehicles, including those bearing registration numbers GR 8864-18 and GR 8502-19, were duly registered in the name of the then Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, establishing them as government property.

Acting on the findings, the Regional State Attorney, on behalf of the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, filed a motion before the Sogakope High Court on 17 June 2025, seeking the release of the official vehicles to the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly.

The court granted the application and ordered the immediate release of the seized vehicles.

The decision has been welcomed by many residents, who have praised Hon. Daniel Dagba for pursuing lawful and strategic measures to recover public assets and strengthen the Assembly's operational capacity.

With the vehicles now expected to return to the Assembly, the municipal chief executive say the recovery will improve project supervision, revenue mobilisation, monitoring, and service delivery across the municipality.

For many constituents, the court's decision represents not only the recovery of valuable state assets but also a demonstration of proactive leadership and a renewed commitment to protecting the public interest.