By Staff Reporter
Businessman Adolf Tetteh Adjei is preparing to petition the ECOWAS Court of Justice after suffering a decisive defeat in a long-running land dispute with investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, which ended last week with a unanimous 5–0 Supreme Court decision.
The Supreme Court affirmed that Anas lawfully acquired the disputed Tse-Addo land in 2005 through a valid customary grant and held that the subsequent 2015 registration relied upon by Mr. Tetteh was void for failing to meet statutory requirements under Act 106.
The ruling, delivered by all five justices of the apex court, ended a nearly 12 years of litigation across the High Court and the Court of Appeal before reaching its final determination.
Emotional Reaction to the Verdict
Court officials and attendees noted that Mr. Tetteh became visibly emotional upon hearing the verdict. According to persons close to him, he wept openly and had to be assisted after experiencing sudden illness and distress as the judgment was read.
Family sources say he later required medical attention, though he has since stabilised.
Supreme Court’s Legal Clarifications
The Supreme Court held that Anas’ interest was superior in law and ruled that all subsequent transactions relating to the land, including those involving Hillview Ltd., were pendente lite and therefore invalid.
The Court also examined the execution of certain documents submitted by the respondent, stressing that they did not meet mandatory legal requirements for execution by custodial trustees.
Land law analysts say the ruling could have broader implications for documentation standards in fast-developing urban zones like Tse-Addo.
Move Toward the ECOWAS Court
Despite the unanimous verdict, sources close to Mr. Tetteh confirm that he plans to pursue the matter at the ECOWAS Court of Justice, arguing that additional regional review is warranted.
However, legal experts caution that the ECOWAS Court’s mandate does not include overturning decisions of national Supreme Courts.
A constitutional law lecturer noted: “The ECOWAS Court cannot reopen a land case already settled by Ghana’s Supreme Court. Only alleged human rights violations fall within its jurisdiction.”
Implications for Landowners and Documentation
In the aftermath of the ruling, some landowners in the Tse-Addo area have begun reviewing their land documents, as the judgment highlights the importance of properly executed and verifiable documentation in land transactions.
Legal practitioners expect increased scrutiny of transactions involving traditional trustees and family lands.
With the unanimous decision, the dispute is considered fully resolved under Ghanaian law. Any further action at the regional level would not alter the substance of the ruling delivered by the Supreme Court.
As attention shifts to the potential ECOWAS petition, the case continues to spotlight broader issues surrounding land administration, registration processes, and dispute resolution in the country.
Meanwhile, calls to Adolf Tetteh’s telephone number were not answer. This paper wanted response from Mr. Tetteh about the information that he was preparing to file a case with the ECOWAS court.
Stay tuned
