Omanghana
The Adentan High Court has directed that Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo be formally served with court documents in connection with contempt proceedings arising from an alleged breach of an existing land injunction.
The court granted an application for substituted service after difficulties were encountered in serving the minister directly. Under the order, copies of the motion seeking her committal for contempt and the accompanying hearing notice are to be posted at designated locations and published publicly. The matter has been adjourned to June 24, 2026.
Dispute Centers on Dodowa Market Relocation Site
The legal dispute concerns a 2.66-acre parcel of land in Dodowa within the Shai-Osudoku area, which has been earmarked by the state as the proposed relocation site for the Dodowa Market.
The applicant, Bernard Oduro, a Ghanaian property owner based in Canada, contends that he lawfully acquired a 99-year lease over the land in June 2005 and holds a valid title certificate issued by the Lands Commission.
In October 2025, Mr. Oduro obtained an interlocutory injunction from the High Court restraining the Greater Accra Regional Minister and other parties from carrying out any development on the property until the substantive ownership dispute is determined.
Allegations of Injunction Breach
According to affidavits filed before the court, Mr. Oduro alleges that the injunction was violated when heavy machinery and workers entered the property around April 17, 2026, to clear and prepare the land for development under the direction of the Regional Minister.
The applicant further claims that he reported the incident to the Ghana Police Service, resulting in the arrest of workers found on the site.
Court documents also allege that on April 24, 2026, the minister visited Police Headquarters and instructed that the detained workers be released, reportedly confirming that they had been acting on her directives.
Additionally, the affidavits claim that she indicated construction activities for the proposed market project would continue despite the existence of the court order, allegations that form part of the basis for the contempt application now before the court.
Court Authorizes Substituted Service
Given the reported challenges in personally serving the Regional Minister, the Adentan High Court approved substituted service to ensure she receives notice of the proceedings.
The court ordered that copies of the contempt motion and hearing notice be posted on the notice board of the Adentan High Court as well as on the exterior of the minister’s residence. It also directed that copies be delivered to the Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and published in the Daily Graphic newspaper.
Hearing Scheduled for June 24
The case has been adjourned to June 24, 2026, when the court is expected to consider the contempt application.
At that hearing, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo is expected to respond to the allegations and present any legal arguments as to why she should not be held in contempt of court. The proceedings relate to allegations that remain before the court and have yet to be judicially determined.
Source: Omanghana
