The protracted land dispute between the Numo Kofi Anum (Tesa) Family of Teshie and Regimanuel Gray Estate Limited, in Accra, has taken a new turn as the family has issued a public notice directing all residents and lessees of the Regimanuel Gray Estate at East Airport to cease renewing leases with the company.
The Family maintains that it remains the allodial owner of the 123.2088-acre land in contention, citing a binding Supreme Court judgment in Civil Appeal No. J4/44/2013: Nii Mate Tesa v. Numo Nortey Adjeifio & 6 Others, which, it says, invalidated the Nungua Stool’s title and any subsequent grants to Regimanuel.
According to the notice, the Supreme Court’s decision had already been executed, and portions of the land have been repossessed through lawful court processes.
The Tesa Family insists that Regimanuel Gray Estate Limited holds no valid title or leasehold interest in the property and warns that any attempt by residents to renew leases with the company would be void and potentially expose them to legal risk.
The Family says it is open to direct attornment arrangements with current occupants as part of efforts to regularize ownership in accordance with the court’s ruling.
Below is the statement from the family:
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NOTICE TO ALL RESIDENTS AND LESSEES OF REGIMANUEL GRAY ESTATE LIMITED (EAST AIRPORT)
RE: CEASE AND DESIST FROM RENEWING LEASES WITH REGIMANUEL GRAY ESTATE LIMITED
The Numo Kofi Anum (Tesa) Family, by this notice, wishes to formally inform all residents, occupants, and lessees of Regimanuel Gray Estate (East Airport) that we remain the lawful allodial owners of the subject land, pursuant to the binding judgment of the Supreme Court of Ghana in Civil Appeal No. J4/44/2013: Nii Mate Tesa v. Numo Nortey Adjeifio & 6 Others.
Following the said judgment, which has been duly executed, the Courts have further affirmed that:
- The Nungua Stool, which purported to grant interest in the land to Regimanuel Gray Estate Limited, had no valid title over the land;
- Consequently, any interest or title Regimanuel purports to hold is void ab initio;
- The land in question, measuring approximately 123.2088 acres and currently being occupied by Regimanuel Gray Estate Limited, falls squarely within the 918.24 acres of land lawfully owned by the Tesa Family.
Invalidity of Regimanuel Gray Estate’s Claims
It has also been judicially determined that the land titles (GA 12369 and GA 18289) relied upon by Regimanuel were wrongfully issued, as the Nungua Stool — the source of those titles — had no legal interest in the land at the time of the purported grants. Only the Tesa Family has the authority to convey or regularize interest in this land.
Execution of Judgment
Contrary to the misleading claims by Regimanuel Gray Estate Limited, the Supreme Court’s judgment has already been executed. The family, through the lawful assistance of the Court and its bailiffs, has taken possession of vacant portions of the land. This execution occurred prior to any subsequent application for stay, which cannot operate retroactively to invalidate actions already lawfully taken.
Furthermore, any assertion that Regimanuel holds a valid leasehold interest is without merit, as no valid title can be derived from a party (the Nungua Stool) that has lost ownership through a Supreme Court ruling.
Directive to All Residents, Occupants, and Lessees
In light of the above:
All residents, tenants, and lessees are hereby formally directed to CEASE AND DESIST from renewing any leases or entering into any contractual arrangements with Regimanuel Gray Estate Limited regarding properties located within the 123.2088-acre land forming part of the Tesa Family’s allodial property.
The Family categorically states that Regimanuel has failed and/or refused to regularize its interest with the Family and has instead engaged in protracted and unproductive litigation. The Family is no longer pursuing negotiations with Regimanuel, and no court can compel a private landowner to sell its land under terms it does not accept.
At present, the Family is open only to attornment arrangements directly with occupants of the already developed portions of the land. We reiterate that no leases or titles granted by Regimanuel have legal standing, and renewal of such arrangements may expose occupants to legal risk.
Our Commitment
The Numo Kofi Anum (Tesa) Family remains committed to the rule of law and to the lawful enforcement of our property rights as affirmed by the Apex Court. We therefore urge all residents and affected parties to:
- Refrain from executing any renewal of lease or tenancy agreements with Regimanuel Gray Estate Limited;
- Seek direct engagement with the Family regarding regularization of their interest;
- Disregard any contrary publications or misrepresentations by Regimanuel Gray Estate Limited.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we move to regularize the land interests in a lawful and equitable manner.
Issued by:
The Numo Kofi Anum (Tesa) Family of Teshie
