The Supreme Court of Ghana has debunked the claim made by the Numo Nmashie family of Teshie, asserting that they are not the rightful owners of 70 villages encompassing more than 72,000 acres of land in the Greater Accra Region.

The court's ruling challenges the family's long-standing assertion of ownership, opening a new chapter in the intricate landscape of land rights in the region.

As reported by graphic.com.gh, a definitive stance has been taken by a five-member panel of the court, presided over by Chief Justice Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. The panel emphasized that the Numo Nmashie family holds no valid claim to the mentioned land. This assertion contradicts a Court of Appeal decision in 1982 that had previously declared them as owners of the contested piece of land.

In a report by graphic.com.gh, a decisive position has been established by a five-member court panel led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. The panel unequivocally stated that the Numo Nmashie family lacks a legitimate claim to the specified land. This assertion stands in direct contradiction to a 1982 Court of Appeal decision that had previously recognized them as owners of the disputed piece of land.

It, therefore, ordered the Lands Commission to expunge all registrations and certificates issued to the Numo Nmashie family of Teshie, and the Tetteh Olewolon Family, in respect of the 72,000 acres.

The villages affected by the decision are Peduase, Obuom, Nsakye, Agyemanti, Brotrease, Danfa, Adoteiman, Otinibi, Malidzano, Okyrekomfo Kotei, Taboadidi, Ayim, Adenkrebi, Abefia, Ayimensa, Kweiman, Odonkorkurom and Kwadwokurom.

Others are Otiakurum, Otopram, Brekusu, Kponko, Dedekurom, Sesemi, Teiman, Papao, Ogbodzo, Adaman, Mpehuasem, Otinshi, Otanor, La- Bawaleshie, Tesa, Adjiringano, Okpoi Gonno, Manmormo, Oshiyie, Amanfro, Bobamase, Abokobi, Nyamekurom, Oyarifa and Ogoha.

The rest are Ajangote, Akpomang, Boi, Pantang, Sempene, Frafraha, Apenkwa, Abladdzei, Ankome, Ashonman, Agbogba, Adenta, Otuwa, Madina, Nkwantanang, Ashale-Botwe, Atwuo-Okuman, Martey Tsuru, Gbatsuma, Okpegon, Ablekuma, Odediben, Agbleshia, Alegon, Mangoase, Teshie and Kpeshie Ridge.

The clarification by the Supreme Court was an affirmation of its judgment dated March 22, 2023, in favour of the Boi Stool and 13 others.

The panel that made the judgment had Justice Jones Victor Mawulorm Dotse, as the presiding judge, with Justices Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu, Nene Abayateye Ofoe Amegatcher, Avril Lovelace-Johnson and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, as members.