By Abu M. Monor
In a startling turn of events, the Odai Ntow Family has come forward to accuse the Swaniker Family of making baseless claims regarding a recent land dispute. The accusations were made during a press conference held yesterday, where the Odai Ntow Family presented evidence that seemingly contradicts the Swaniker Family’s assertions.
The crux of the matter revolves around a Court of Appeal decision dated July 13, 2023, in suit No. H1/31/2023 titled “The Church of Theatricals Domain, Kate Swaniker v. Solomon Tettey, Land Commission, Nii Odai Ntow Family.” The court ruled that the plaintiff, Kate Swaniker, lacked the legal capacity to commence the suit in the High Court.
The Swaniker Family, claiming their land rights from the Nuumo Nmashie Family in Teshie, has been facing significant opposition from the Odai Ntow Family. The Odai Ntow Family pointed out that a recent Supreme Court judgment from March 23, 2023, in the case of “Boi Stool and Thirteen (13) others v. Daniel Addo Quaye, Benjamin Tetteh Addo & Nuumo Nmashie Family,” concluded that the Nuumo Nmashie Family did not hold ownership over the disputed land. In fact, the Supreme Court judgment established that the Ashongman lands were rightfully owned by the Nii Odai Ntow Family.
During the press conference, Nii Ayidzaku Tackie, a spokesperson for the Odai Ntow Family highlighted that it was perplexing for the Swaniker Family to base their claims on the Nuumo Nmashie Family, given that the same Nuumo Nmashie Family’s claim to the land had been invalidated by the Supreme Court. This, according to the Odai Ntow Family, casts doubt on the Swaniker Family’s alleged root of title to the land in question.
Nii Ayidzaku Tackie, who is also the head of the finance to the Nii Odai Ntow Family Customary Land Secretariat posed a poignant question to the gathered press, questioning the validity of the Swaniker Family’s claim: “Where is Swaniker Family’s root of title to the land they claim they own?” The Odai Ntow Family’s allegations raise doubts about the legitimacy of the Swaniker Family’s assertions and put their claims into a contentious light.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how both families will address these accusations and navigate the complex web of land ownership in Ashongman and Kwabenya. The public awaits further developments as the truth behind these conflicting claims comes to light.
