Surveyor, pastor and chief in court over alleged Accra land fraud

A land surveyor, a pastor and a traditional leader have appeared before Circuit Court 3 in Accra, accused of conspiring to trespass on and fraudulently deal in a parcel of land.

James Kumbaya Damalie, 60, a land surveyor; Peter Hammond, 58, a pastor; and traditional leader Nuumo Kankam, 65, all pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned before Her Honour Susana Eduful.

The court remanded Damalie (A1) and Kankam (A3) into police custody, while Hammond (A2) was granted bail of GH¢300,000 with three sureties. One surety must be an immediate family member, and the remaining two are required to justify the bail with properties registered in their own names.

Prosecutors told the court that the complainant, Madam Comfort Louisa Seiwah Antwi, a retired midwife living at Sowutuom, acquired 0.48 acres of land in 2019 from the Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GTACC) on instalment terms during her working years.

She is said to have secured all relevant documents, including a Land Title Certificate in her name, and begun development by putting in foundation footings for shops and a main building shortly before the COVID-19 outbreak.

When she returned to the site after the pandemic period, she allegedly found the foundations destroyed. She reported the matter to the police, and investigations initially pointed to Damalie as being involved.

According to the prosecution, Damalie later approached Madam Antwi and attempted to buy the land from her, but she refused. He is then alleged to have gone back onto the land and started fresh construction despite warnings.

The complainant reported the matter to the Greater Accra Regional Police Command on 18 April 2025, leading to the arrest of all three accused.

In his caution statement, Damalie is said to have admitted his role, claiming he acted on the instructions of Nuumo Kankam to allocate the land to Peter Hammond.

Hammond, however, denied any wrongdoing, telling investigators he acquired the land under an indenture from a traditional leader whose identity he could not clearly confirm. Kankam also denied instructing anyone to allocate the land.

Prosecutors told the court that efforts at an amicable settlement broke down and that Damalie and Hammond did not fully cooperate with police investigations, prompting the decision to bring the matter before the court.

The case has been adjourned while investigations continue.