Traders at the Kotobabi market in the Tema West constituency of the Greater Accra region have accused Ibrahim Dauda, the son of the Asutifi South Member of Parliament (MP), Collins Dauda, and the Tema West Municipal Assembly of intimidation and harassment.
According to the traders, Ibrahim Dauda, who is also the Assembly Member for the Baatsona Electoral Area, and the Assembly acted unlawfully and demolished their market property.
Speaking at a press conference at Kotobabi, the Chief Attorney to the Gborbu Wulomo of Kotobabi lands, Nii Laryeh Otiajasu Abdullah, stated that the Tema West Municipal Assembly and Ibrahim Dauda have been responsible for repeated intimidation and harassment of the traders.
He claimed that they faced several confrontations with them, and despite taking the matter to court, they refused to wait for the court’s eviction order and instead demolished their market property.
Nii Laryeh Otiajasu Abdullah said the traders returned to the court and secured injunctions from the Teshie Magistrate’s Court for an injunction against both the Tema West Municipal Assembly and Koiwa Investment Company, the developer allegedly given the land by the Nungua traditional authorities.
However, despite the injunction, the parties defied the court orders and erected a fence. Both Koiwa Investment and the Assembly remain under court injunction.
“The Tema West Municipal Assembly and the Assembly Member for Baatsona Electoral Area, Ibrahim Dauda acted unlawfully and demolished our market property,” Mr. Abdullah told reporters, adding that the defendants subsequently erected a fence despite court orders.
He further alleged that when traders challenged the alleged contempt, the Baatsona police were repeatedly brought to the scene and that some traders were assaulted during confrontations, including a trader named Mike and others.
He added that they reported the assaults to the Baatsona Police, but instead of admonishing the Assembly Member for contempt, the police escorted him.
Nii Laryeh Otiajasu Abdullah stated Ibrahim Dauda, backed by one Evans of Koiwa Investment and with apparent police support, allegedly behaves as if he is above the law.
He also claimed that a landowner involved in litigation must not be issued permits until the court rules otherwise, but Ibrahim Dauda and the Assembly continue to act as if the law does not apply to them.
Nii Laryeh Otiajasu Abdullah claimed that Ibrahim Dauda openly boasts that because his party is in power, no injunction can stop him.
He warned that if President Mahama and Collins Dauda do not rein in Ibrahim Dauda and stop him from flouting court orders, they may be forced to take matters into their own hands demanding that Ibrahim Dauda withdraw and stop sullying the President’s name.
Some traders and victims share their harrowing experiences with the media, recounting instances of violence and harassment at the hands of officials.
In one incident, a trader was beaten by a soldier after questioning why the Assembly Member was filming them without consent.
