George Oti Bonsu, a private landowner, has petitioned the Property Fraud Office of the Ghana Police Service over what he describes as unlawful trespassing, destruction of property, and the use of armed police protection to facilitate illegal encroachment on his land at Borteyman in Accra.
In a petition dated January 13, 2026, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Oti Bonsu stated that he was the lawful owner and person in possession of a 27.1-acre parcel of land, which he lawfully acquired in 1996.
He explained that since purchasing the land, he had maintained continuous possession and carried out legitimate developments, including fencing the property and constructing drainage and gutter systems.
According to Mr. Oti Bonsu, he had never granted consent, authority, or licence to Mr. Ernesto Taricone, Trasacco, Empire Builders Ltd, or any individuals acting on their behalf to enter, occupy, or undertake any activity on the land.
Despite this, he alleged that Mr. Taricone and his companies, acting through workers and agents, had repeatedly and forcefully entered the land without lawful authority or any court order.
He claimed during the most recent intrusion, parts of his fence walls were breached, while drainage and gutter systems on the property were deliberately destroyed.
Mr. Oti Bonsu also alleged that following the destruction, the workers proceeded to demarcate the land, construct internal access roads, and erect new fence walls in an attempt to create unlawful possession and apparent ownership by force.
He said he reported the incidents to the Nmaidzor, Trasacco, and East Legon Police Stations, but the activities had continued and escalated despite the complaints.
A major concern raised in the petition was the alleged provision of full-day armed police protection to the workers carrying out the construction activities.
Mr. Oti Bonsu claimed that heavily armed officers, supported by three police pickup vehicles reportedly deployed from the Accra Regional Police Command and/or Police Headquarters, are guarding and escorting the workers on the land.
According to him, the presence of armed officers had emboldened the encroachers, suppressed lawful resistance, and created the impression of official endorsement of what he insisted is an illegal land takeover.
Mr. Oti Bonsu has therefore called on the Property Fraud Office to investigate the forceful entry onto his land, the destruction of his property, and the construction activities allegedly aimed at creating unlawful possession.
He also requested a probe into the role of police personnel allegedly facilitating or legitimizing the illegal occupation, and the immediate withdrawal of all officers providing armed protection at the site.
Additionally, he is seeking the immediate cessation of all construction activities pending lawful determination by a competent court, as well as disciplinary and criminal action against any individuals or officers found to have abused their authority.
Mr. Oti Bonsu said he was ready to submit all relevant land documents, photographs, court judgments, and other evidence to support his petition and appealed for urgent intervention to prevent further destruction and possible confrontation.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba
Jan 15, 2026
