Tema native petitions EOCO over GH¢889,000 payment

Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio, a native of Tema, has petitioned the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate payment of GH¢889,000 by Sonite Ghana Limited to some individuals who allegedly used the names of the Chiefs, youth and people of Tema for a land. 

Mr Amarfio, through his lawyers, is seeking clarity on the authority under which the individuals purported to represent the traditional authorities, youth and people of Tema, as well as the circumstances under which Sonite Ghana Limited made the payment. 

The petition, dated September 11, 2026, identifies four individuals as having purported to act on behalf of the Chiefs, youth and people of Tema Newtown, Mr Abraham Adjei, T-Youth President, Mr Joseph B. Mensah, Vice President;  Mr Sumaila Adjetey Aggaby, Assembly Member and Mr Mohammed Eliasu, Organizer. 

According to the petition, a document described as a receipt record that, the named individuals received GH¢889,000 on behalf of the people of Tema Newtown, an amount equivalent to approximately US$70,000, at the time. 

Mr Amarfio’s concern, according to the petition, was to establish why the names of the chiefs, youth and people of Tema were used in connection with the demand and receipt of the money and why Sonite Ghana Limited paid the amount. 

The petition urged EOCO to investigate the nature and basis of the demand, including who made it and the purpose for which the funds were allegedly required. 

It also called on the investigative body to determine whether fraud, deception, or other organised criminal conduct occurred in connection with the demand or utilisation, of the funds. 

The lawyers further want EOCO to establish whether any unlawful conduct occurred before the payment and whether the money was paid under duress, coercion, intimidation, or other unlawful pressure. 

The petition also want EOCO to establish the involvement or knowledge of the Tema Traditional Council, its elders or any persons acting under its authority, particularly whether they authorized, participated in, or otherwise became involved in the demand and receipt of the money.  

The petition followed a land dispute involving Sonite Ghana Limited, which claims to own a 25,000-square-metre plot of land in Tema acquired with a Korean partner about 12 years ago. 

The company said it constructed five warehouses on the land in 2020 and began work in September 2025 to install cold rooms for fish storage.  

According to Sonite, individuals claiming to represent the “Community” subsequently occupied the property and demanded approximately 4,000 square meters, alleging that they had originally sold the land to the Korean partner who later transferred it to the company. 

The company involved the police and subsequently engaged a private security company before entering negotiations with the individuals and their “chief” on the advice of its lawyer. 

It said the negotiations resulted in an agreement under which it paid US$70,000, equivalent to GH¢889,000, after which the land was cleared. 

However, Sonite said the individuals later returned and again demanded the 4,000-square-metre portion, prompting the company to reject the demand and instruct its lawyer to recover the money.  

Mr Amarfio’s petition stated that the matter was of significant public interest because individuals could have purported to act in the name of traditional authorities, youth or community members in circumstances which, if established by investigation, could have criminal or other legal implications.  

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