Private legal practitioner Gift Emmanuel Kofi Tsamah has called for an independent probe into the conduct of officers of the Criminal Investigations Department’s (CID) Property Fraud Unit over a disputed parcel of land at Okpoi Gonno in the Ledzokuku Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

In a petition addressed to the Interior Minister, the Attorney-General, the National Security Coordinator and the Director of Operations at Jubilee House, Mr Tsamah alleges that police officers arrested him despite his cooperation with their investigations and his submission of documents to support his ownership claim.

He further alleges that the handling of the case raises concerns about possible bias in favour of individuals contesting his interest in the property.

Mr Tsamah, who also identifies himself as a Principal Revenue Officer with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), says his claim is backed by an indenture dated February 9, 2012, and a Land Title Certificate issued on November 21, 2019.

According to the petition, he began developing the property in 2018, constructing a perimeter wall and a one-bedroom building without interference.

“My ownership and possession of the property pre-date the present dispute,” he stated.

The petitioner says concerns over possible encroachment resurfaced on September 30, 2026, when his cousin, Fredson Kofi Tetteh, who resides on the property, reported seeing a man photographing the premises.

He said his cousin subsequently sent him images and a video of the incident.

Mr Tsamah recounts that he honoured invitations from the CID Property Fraud Unit on October 6 and 7 to assist with its inquiries and present documents relating to the land.

He alleges that despite his cooperation and presentation of his land title certificate, he was taken into custody.

“Instead of being treated as a person voluntarily cooperating with an investigation, I was placed under arrest,” he wrote.

He also questions the adequacy of the documents presented by those challenging his claim, arguing that a one-page petition attributed to Yakubu Ibrahim did not sufficiently identify the specific parcel of land in contention.

“The existence of a registered land title and other ownership documents ought to have warranted a fair, impartial and evidence-based investigation,” he stated.

The petition further alleges that a police detective visited the property on October 6 alongside seven civilian men whom Mr Tsamah suspected of being land guards. 

He claims the group arrived in two unregistered vehicles and attempted to intimidate and arrest his cousin.

In another alleged incident on October 13, 2026, Mr Tsamah claims Saniki Awala, whom he describes as a prospective buyer of the property, arrived with a group of alleged land guards. 

He alleges that his cousin was assaulted after attempting to record their activities.

“Notwithstanding the fact that the petition to the Police Property Fraud Unit was signed by the said Yakubu Ibrahim, I later discovered on Tuesday, the 13th October, 2026 that the potential buyer of my property is one Saniki Awala who led a team of land guards to the property to assault my cousin after he attempted to record their conduct on the property with his phone. 

“I find such a situation unacceptable. It is particularly disturbing that a person who has held an interest in land supported by an Indenture dated 9th February 2012, obtained a Land Title Certificate dated 21st November 2019, and has physically developed the property since 2018, could be subjected to arrest and intimidation without being properly confronted with the evidence upon which the adverse claims are based.”

Mr Tsamah argues that the incidents warrant an investigation into whether police personnel acted within their authority and whether any officers improperly favoured one side in the dispute.

“The conduct complained of gives the unfortunate impression that the Police are being used as an instrument to aid one party in a land dispute,” he wrote.

He is asking the authorities to investigate the circumstances of his arrest, review the conduct of the officers involved and provide him with the full complaint and supporting documents submitted by those contesting his claim.

He has also called for appropriate administrative or legal action against any officer found to have acted unlawfully or abused their authority.

“In view of the foregoing, I respectfully petition your respective offices to: (i) Cause an independent investigation into the conduct of the personnel of the Property Fraud Unit of the CID who handled this matter; (ii) Require the Police and/or the Property Fraud Unit to disclose the full details of the complaint, documentary evidence and other material relied upon by Yakubu Ibrahim and/or Saniki Awala in making their claims in relation to my property; (iii) Investigate the circumstances surrounding my arrest after I voluntarily honoured the Police invitation and presented my Land Title Certificate;

“(iv) Determine whether any officer acted improperly, unlawfully or outside the scope of his or her authority in handling the matter; (v) Take appropriate administrative and/or legal action against any officer found to have abused his or her office or acted improperly; (vi) Ensure that the matter is handled fairly, impartially and strictly on the basis of verifiable evidence and the applicable law, without intimidation or favour to either party; and (vii) Take such further steps as may be necessary to protect the integrity of the investigative process and prevent the Police from being used to improperly interfere with my lawful property rights.”

The petition lists the indenture, land title certificate and photographs relating to the property among the documents supporting his complaint.

The allegations have not been independently verified. 

The petition does not contain responses from the Ghana Police Service, Mr Ibrahim, Mr Awala or the other individuals implicated. 

Their positions on the claims are therefore not reflected in this report.

Mr Tsamah says he remains prepared to cooperate with an impartial investigation and provide the relevant documentation.