The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
is assuring the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the Government of Ghana will pursue the demolishing of a structure at the premises of its high commission in the country. A logical conclusion will be reached to ensure that the perpetrators are sanctioned in accordance with the laws of the land.
According to the Minister, the government takes a serious view of the violation of the diplomatic premises and expresses deep regrets.
Addressing a press conference in Accra in the wake of the demolition of the structure by some unknown persons, the Minister said, “Following the arrest of some persons connected to the breach of the premises of the High Commission of Nigeria, the Criminal Investigation Department will expedite action on investigations, given the delicate nature of the matter and its potential ramifications on Ghana–Nigeria relations. The Government of Ghana (GoG) will ensure that the demolished building is restored to its original state, as soon as possible.”
She added that the GoG will engage the Nigerian government to ensure calm is restored in both countries. “The Government of Ghana will actively engage the Nigerian Government at the highest level to address the impasse and help calm tensions in both countries.”
“As you are aware, the relations between Ghana and Nigeria predate the independence of both countries and are bound by blood ties. Over the years, these relations have been nurtured and have produced excellent cooperation between our two countries manifested by the excellent relations between our current Presidents, President Muhammadu Buhari and President Nana Akufo-Addo, who have spoken on this matter. Ghana remains a law-abiding country which upholds the principles of the rule of law where due process is followed at all times, Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey told the media.
Ghana constitute a committee made up of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the Lands Commission, the National Security Secretariat and the Ghana Police Service to investigate the demolition of the building which was situated on the Nigeria High Commission’s premises, located at 19/21 Julius Nyerere Street, Ringway Estates, East Ridge, Accra, on Friday, 19th June 2020.
Preliminary findings by the Committee indicate the following:
i. The High Commission of Nigeria presented letter referenced SCR/LCS 74/VOL.2/95 dated 7th August, 2000, granting allocation and right of entry to the High Commission, a 4-acre parcel of land in the Accra Osu Mantse Layout. The High Commission of Nigeria further presented receipts of payments on the said land, made by Bankers Draft payable to the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission. However, Land Title Certificate had not been issued to the High Commission.
ii. The Lands Commission stated that the said 4-acre parcel of land is part of vested land which is owned by the Osu Stool and managed by the Lands Commission. In June 2019, the Osu Stool requested the Greater Accra Regional Lands Commission to grant a lease in respect of a part of the said land to a third party.
iii. The Lands Commission stated that per its processes of granting leases, its records did not reveal any previous transaction in respect of the land in question.
iv. The Lands Commission revealed that a letter referenced AC 14826 of 4th July, 2019, signed by the Regional Lands Officer and addressed to the High Commission of Nigeria, informed that the Osu Stool had requested the Lands Commission to grant a lease to a third party on the land in question. The Lands Commission, therefore, advised the High Commission of Nigeria to provide relevant documents on ownership of the land, but the former did not receive any response.
v. Based on the silence of the High Commission of Nigeria, the Lands Commission went ahead and issued a Land Title Certificate covering the said parcel of land to a third party.
vi. The Lands Commission has confirmed that the letter of 7th August, 2000, presented by the High Commission of Nigeria granting allocation and right of entry to the High Commission, was genuine and, indeed, emanated from its Head Office.
vii. Unfortunately, owing to the fact that the High Commission did not obtain a lease following the allocation letter, or proceed to obtain a Land Title Certificate or even a building permit for the new property, a search by the Lands Commission did not show that any proper documentation had been obtained in respect of the property.
In light of the above, the Government of Ghana has decided as follows:
i. The Lands Commission will issue a letter to the Osu Traditional Council stating that in August 2000, a formal offer was made to the High Commission of Nigeria in respect of the parcel of land in question; the offer was accepted by the High Commission and payments made, accordingly constituting a contract;
ii. The Lands Commission will proceed to issue a Land Title Certificate to the High Commission of Nigeria to regularize its ownership of the property in question;
iii. The Government of Ghana will take immediate steps to engage the Osu Stool and all stakeholders on the impasse;