Mohammed Jamil Idris, an estate developer, has been granted GH¢500,000 bail by the Accra Circuit Court, for allegedly destroying a 40-footer container containing items, in Adjiringanor.
Idris, charged with causing unlawful damage and prohibition of activities of land guards, pleaded not guilty.
The court presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah asked accused to produce two sureties.
The court also ordered Idris to deposit his passport with the court’s registry, and adjourned the case to September 25, 2023, for case management conference.
Chief Inspector Richard Amoah, the prosecutor, said that the complainant, Sampson Amankwa, resided at Lashibi, Accra, and Idris lived at West Trassaco.
According to the prosecution, Amankwa rented land at Adjiringanor from Ataa Kane Siada, in 2002, and put a 40-feet container on it for business.
Chief Insp Amoah said the complainant negotiated with Ataa Kane Siada, and the land was sold to him (complainant).
The court heard that Amankwa occupied the land peacefully until August 2017, when James Baiden, a witness in the case, reported to the East Legon Police that the complainant had trespassed on his land.
Chief Insp Amoah said the police took the case to the Madina District Court, where the court ruled in favour of James Baiden.
The court concluded that the Amankwa had trespassed, since the extension of his container jutted into Baiden’s land by a few metres.
Chief Insp Amoah ordered Amankwah to compensate Baiden to “ensure peace in the area,” and also directed Amankwa to remove his container from Baiden’s land.
The prosecution told the court that Baiden sold portion of the land to Idris in 2022.
Chief Insp Amoah said Idris erected a wall around Baiden’s container after purchasing the land.
The prosecution said on August 4, 2022, at dawn, Idris led land guards to dismantle the container and valuable items.
Chief Insp Amoah said Idris was arrested and granted bail, and the police conducted investigation into the case.
The court heard that the Architectural and Engineering Services (AESL) estimated the cost of damage caused to the property, at GH¢533,857.48. — GNA