*Says parcel of land belongs to his Osu stool

Ghanaian Monarch Dowuona VI accuses Nigerian High Commission of trespassing

Following the invading of the Nigeria High Commission in Ghana by alleged armed men, the Head of the Osu Traditional Area and the Chairman of the National House of Chiefs, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI in Ghana has accused the commission of trespassing.

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The Monarch also fingered the commission for trying to forcibly take over a land belonging to his Osu stool.

iBrandTV had reported that armed men invaded the commission in Accra, Ghana, last Friday, pulling down some apartments being constructed to house staff and visitors with heavy vehicles.

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However, Dowuona VI has dismissed reports that the structure was planned for a block of flats

He stated that the parcel of land was rather planned for an entertainment complex to be used as an events’ centre for commercial purposes.

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The monarch further stated that the structure was being erected by a Nigerian business person aided by the high office of the Nigerian High Commission.

He noted that Ghana’s high commission confirmed that the High Commission did not purchase the parcel of land from them. The parcel of land where the building is located belongs to his kingdom.

READ ALSO: React now, FG tells Ghana over demolition of residential house

In his words: “The Head of the Osu Traditional Area and the Chairman of the National House of Chiefs, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI wishes to make known to the general public that all that piece of land in extent 0.046 hectare (approximately 1.14 acres) more or less being GLPIN GA48906150010 Block 1 Section 019 situate at West Ridge in the Greater Accra Region of the Republic of Ghana belonging to Osu stool has been trespassed upon,” the statement said.

“As such the following should be noted:

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“On 20th June, 2020 an article published by Joy online claiming that armed men had demolished structure belonging to the Nigerian High Commission is wrong and has no justification.

“The said parcel of land belongs to the Osu stool and is to be used for purposes only agreed upon by the stool and its council of elders.

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“Sometime last year the stool noted that the original building on the parcel of land had been demolished and, in its place, a new structure was being erected.

“The stool was informed that the structure was being erected by a Nigerian business person who aided by the high office of the Nigerian High Commission was forcibly trying to take over the said parcel of land.

“The stool is also informed that the structure is planned entertainment complex to be used as an events center for commercial purposes and is not a block of flats as has been purported.

“The stool has a high level of respect for foreign missions and has therefore on several occasions verbally informed the unidentified trespasser of the ownership status of the land through the security personnel resident on the parcel of land.

“The stool has subsequently sent messages inviting the trespasser for a discussion on the ownership of the land.

READ ALSO: Demolition of Staff Quarters of The Nigerian High Commission in Ghana

“There has till date been no response or acknowledgement in response to the stool’s invitation nor has the trespasser proceeded to submit any documentation of permission upon which it demolished the original structure on the land and proceeded to erect a new structure.

“The trespasser has openly and with impunity disrespected the Osu stool by its attendant behaviour.

“Authorities including officials from the Lands Commission, the Cantonments Police and Police Headquarters have invited the trespassers to produce documentation for the parcel of land.

“The intention of the trespasser is to forcibly take over land under the cover of diplomatic mission from the stool land without redress and without the permission of the traditional authority and its council of elders.

“The Osu Stool is in know that the trespasser till date does not hold in its possession any documentation on the parcel land.

“The Osu Stool remains the owner of the said parcel of land and wishes to notify the general public that all other intended users of the property must first seek the permission of the stool.

“The stool informs the general public that there has never been a purchase of any parcel of land from it by the foreign office of the Nigerian High Commission.

“The Lands Commission has confirmed that the High Commission did not purchase the parcel of land from them.

“This is the second attempt to forcibly take over land that belongs to stool under the offices by unknown persons who acting under the political influence of the Nigerian High Commission.

“The stool wishes to inform all future trespassers who hide behind foreign offices and political influence to desist from doing so.

“We entreat the media to be extremely cautious in their reportage and not to relay any message relating to this issue without due confirmation on the ownership of stool lands and with permission from the necessary authorities.”

In a statement on Sunday, the Federal Government condemned the demolition of the building which it said belongs to the Nigeria High Commission and located within the premises of the High Commissioner’s Residence in Accra without prior notification nor approval by the Nigerian High Commission.

“This action is in clear violation of the extant provisions of the 1963 Vienna Convention on inviolability of diplomatic premises,” the Foreign Affairs ministry said in a statement.

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