Evangelist Emmanuel Nick Amuzu Lagoh, a resident of New Adenta in Accra, has petitioned the Office of the President, calling for an independent investigation into what he describes as gross unprofessional conduct and abuse of power by officers of the Ghana Police Service, including alleged interference by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in a protracted land dispute.
In a petition addressed to the Secretary to the President, Mr. Callistus Mahama, the Evangelist accused officers from the SWAT Unit of the Police Service and some district commanders of acting outside the law, suppressing evidence, and shielding individuals involved in the dispute.
Land Purchase and Development
According to the petitioner, he legally purchased a plot of land in 2000 from the La Kplewe and Ashale Botwe Family, with all required documentation duly issued and verified. He later developed the land by constructing three rooms to accommodate himself and his six children.
Alleged Forced Eviction
The petition states that on May 3, 2020, officers from the SWAT National Headquarters, accompanied by civilians and armed men, stormed the property without presenting a court order. The officers allegedly assaulted his security guard, demolished his fence wall, destroyed his wife’s business container, and dug a foundation trench that split the compound into two.
He further alleged that his family of eight was forcefully evicted and confined to a single room.
Suppression of Evidence
The Evangelist alleged that when he and his daughter attempted to record the demolition, the officer in charge, Inspector Isaac Tanor, ordered their arrest. Their mobile phones were allegedly seized, video recordings deleted, and the devices damaged.
Police Refusal to Investigate
Following the incident, Mr. Lagoh said he reported the matter to the Lakeside Community 8 District Police Station, but officers, including Superintendent Peter Adjai, declined to investigate, allegedly citing instructions from higher authorities.
Frustrated by the lack of police action, the petitioner said he demolished a newly erected fence wall on his own compound. He was subsequently arrested, charged with unlawful damage to property, and arraigned before the Adenta District Court.
Civil Action and Continued Harassment
He later filed a civil suit at the Adenta High Court. However, he claimed the disputed property was subsequently sold to a third party who deployed landguards to harass and intimidate him and his family.
Although landguards were later arrested following a petition to the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander at Tudu, they were allegedly released shortly afterwards following intervention from higher authorities.
Allegations against Police Leadership
The petitioner claimed that the conduct of the police officers involved suggests manipulation and protection of certain interests by senior leadership within the Police Service. He further alleged that an individual claiming ownership of the land openly threatened him, stating that the IGP would ensure the release of arrested suspects—a claim he said later materialised.
Call for Investigation and Protection
Mr. Lagoh is calling on the Presidency to institute a comprehensive and independent investigation into the actions of the SWAT officers, district police commanders involved, and any possible interference by the Inspector-General of Police.
He is also seeking state protection for himself and his family, as well as justice and restitution for what he describes as years of harassment, unlawful eviction, and destruction of property.
He says he is prepared to provide police reports, court judgments, civil suit documents, and video evidence to support his claims.
Evangelist Petitions President over Alleged Police Abuse and IGP Interference in Land Dispute
