The Adentan High Court has ordered that the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, be served with court processes in connection with contempt proceedings arising from a disputed parcel of land in the Shai-Osudoku area of the Greater Accra Region.
The court directed that the Minister be served with a motion on notice seeking her committal for contempt of court as well as a hearing notice requiring her appearance before the court.
The court further ordered that copies of the documents be posted on the notice board of the Adentan High Court and on the walls of the Minister’s residence, or alternatively left with an adult at the residence.
Copies are also to be served on the Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and published in the Daily Graphic newspaper.
The order followed an application for substituted service in a case titled Republic v. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, Ex Parte Bernard Oduro, suing through his lawful attorney, Felix Mishio Ankonam. The case has been adjourned to June 24, 2026.
At the centre of the dispute is a parcel of land claimed by Mr. Bernard Oduro, which has reportedly been earmarked for the proposed relocation of the Dodowa Market. The land is also linked to plans by the Regional Minister to fence the Dodowa Forest as part of commitments made to residents of the Shai-Osudoku area. However, ownership of the land remains the subject of ongoing litigation between Mr. Oduro and the Attorney-General.
According to an affidavit filed before the court, Mr. Oduro stated that he obtained an interlocutory injunction on October 22, 2025, restraining the Minister and other parties from carrying out any development on the land until the substantive case is determined.
He said the injunction order was duly served on both the Regional Minister and the Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council.
The applicant alleged that around April 17, 2026, he discovered that some individuals had begun clearing, grading and undertaking works on the disputed land despite the injunction.
He claimed subsequent investigations revealed that the workers were acting on the instructions of the Regional Minister.
Mr. Oduro further stated that he reported the matter to the Ghana Police Service, leading to the arrest of the persons carrying out the works.
However, he alleged that on April 24, 2026, the Regional Minister visited the Police Headquarters and directed that the suspects be released because they were acting under her instructions.
The affidavit also alleged that the Minister informed the Director of Special Operations and others that work on the land would continue notwithstanding the court injunction because the land was needed for the relocation of the Dodowa Market.
According to the applicant, warnings from his lawyers that such actions could amount to a violation of the court’s orders were allegedly disregarded.
In addition, Mr. Oduro contended that the Minister granted interviews to two Accra-based radio stations on April 28, during which she reportedly acknowledged being aware of both the ongoing court case and the injunction order but indicated that her plans for the land would proceed.
He argued that these actions constituted deliberate disobedience of a lawful court order.
The applicant is therefore asking the court to hold the Minister in contempt, arguing that her alleged conduct undermined the authority of the judiciary and the rule of law.
He maintains that no public official is above the law and that court orders must be obeyed until they are set aside by a competent court.
The High Court has not yet made any finding of contempt against the Regional Minister. The latest ruling merely allows the contempt application and hearing notice to be formally served on her so that she can respond to the allegations before the court determines the merits of the case.
