Choicenewsonline Your Choice Is Here
The Juaben Circuit Court has ordered the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEDESCO Estate Company Limited, Mr. Desmond Osei Yaw, into a two-week remand in prison custody following allegations of harassment and intimidation involving land guards in Asonomaso, a town in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The court’s decision, issued on Wednesday, November 8, 2024, stems from multiple complaints filed by residents and landowners in Asonomaso, who accuse Mr. Osei Yaw of employing land guards to intimidate and threaten those who own or occupy land within the community. This alleged harassment has reportedly left many community members in a constant state of fear, prompting local authorities and community leaders to take action.
In addition to remanding the GEDESCO CEO, the court issued a bench warrant for several land guards associated with the alleged harassment. These individuals remain at large, and the police have been tasked with bringing them to justice. According to court officials, the land guards in question are suspected of working under Mr. Osei Yaw’s direction, allegedly to intimidate landowners and residents as part of efforts to secure disputed property in the area.
Mr. Desmond Osei Yaw is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at which time the court will continue to deliberate on the matter. His remand in custody is intended to facilitate investigations and prevent any potential interference with witnesses or evidence in the case.
After the court proceedings, several complainants and residents who had come forward to support the case expressed their satisfaction with the court’s decision to remand Mr. Osei Yaw. Many victims voiced optimism that the judicial process would lead to an outcome that reinforces peace and security within the Asonomaso community.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated, “This action by the court gives us hope that our community will no longer be terrorized by land guards, and that justice will finally prevail.”
The alleged involvement of estate developers in land guard activities is a growing concern in the Ashanti Region, with many residents calling for stricter measures to regulate the acquisition and management of land. Community leaders and activists have also highlighted the need for robust interventions to protect the rights of local residents and landowners, particularly in rapidly developing areas like Kwabre East Municipality.
The Kwabre East Municipal Assembly, as well as law enforcement agencies, are actively engaged in addressing these issues to ensure that land acquisition disputes are resolved legally and without intimidation. Authorities have urged members of the public with information on the whereabouts of the wanted land guards to come forward and assist in the investigation.
As the case proceeds, the Asonomaso community remains hopeful that the court’s eventual ruling will serve as a deterrent to the misuse of land guards and bring lasting peace to the area.
