Kumasi court bails former MCE, 8 others GH¢800K bail over state land deal
The former MCE, Alhaji Alidu Seidu, and the others are alleged to have conspired to dispose of 10.54 acres of public land at Buoban, a suburb of Kumasi, which had been reserved for a health facility.
A High Court in Kumasi has granted bail to a former Municipal Chief Executive of Asokore-Mampong and eight other people accused of taking part in the alleged unlawful sale of government land earmarked for a community hospital.
The former MCE, Alhaji Alidu Seidu, and the others are alleged to have conspired to dispose of 10.54 acres of public land at Buoban, a suburb of Kumasi, which had been reserved for a health facility.
The complainant is the current Asokore-Mampong MCE, Ben Abdullah Alhassan, according to prosecutors.
Those in court include former assembly officials — Abigail Agyemang Boateng, a former Physical Planning Officer, Henry Acquah, a former Principal Technical Officer, and Solomon Kwakye, a former Senior Technical Officer.
Five other accused persons — Ibrahim Osman, Abubakar Wazir Ayuba, Mohammed Salisu, Mallam Ismail Umar, and Abdul Wahab Mohammed — are also facing trial.
Prosecutors allege the group used falsified official documents to support the transaction.
The court granted each defendant bail of GH¢800,000, with three sureties, two of whom must provide proof of legitimate landed property.
The nine face 12 charges, including conspiracy to falsify land records, falsification of land records, fraudulent breach of trust, abetment, unlawful occupation of public land and possession of forged documents.
Two additional suspects named in the case — Brima Fredua Agyemang II (Kenyasehene) and Kofi Nti (Buoban Odikro) — failed to appear in court, and bench warrants have been issued for their arrest.
At the time of reporting, none of the nine defendants had met the bail conditions and they remained in police custody.
