12 persons have been convicted over a 2022 violent land dispute in North East Region

A District Magistrate Court at Nalerigu has convicted and jailed 12 individuals involved in a violent land dispute in the Gbalo community near Chereponi in the North East Region.

The court imposed a fine of 400 penalty units - equivalent to GH¢4,800 — on each of the convicts, with a default sentence of 18 months in prison.

The sentencing followed nearly three years of legal proceedings and was delivered on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

According to the police, the incident dates back to July 25, 2022, when the convicts — residents of Gbalo — mobilised and launched an attack on the neighboring Sagong/Kukpong community.

The assault resulted in multiple houses being torched and significant properties damaged.

Their arrests came a month later, on August 24, 2022, following an intelligence-led operation by the North East Regional Police Command.

Presiding over the case, Simon Kofi Bediako found the accused guilty on two counts: conspiracy to commit a crime and causing unlawful damage.

The court emphasised the seriousness of their actions and delivered its verdict accordingly.

In a statement, Deputy Superintendent of Police Robert Anabik Anmain, Acting Public Relations Officer, assured the public that the police would not relent in pursuing perpetrators of violence.

He urged communities to resolve disputes through peaceful and lawful means.

“Community members are advised to use peaceful and legal means to resolve conflicts and disputes in their communities,” DSP Anmain stated.

Read the full statement below:

VA/AE

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