The Supreme Court, in a 5–0 ruling, has overturned an Accra High Court and Court of Appeal decision in a landmark land case in favour of ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
It took over nine years of waiting for Anas to be served with justice in the land case between the investigative journalist and a known land litigant after he lost twice at the Accra High Court and a subsequent appeal at the Court of Appeal.
The ruling affirms that Anas lawfully acquired his Tseaddo land through a customary grant in 2005.
The two-acre land situated at East La Dadekotopon was the bone of contention between one Adolph Tetteh Adjei and Anas Aremeyaw and one Holy Quaye.
The former filed a writ at the Accra High Court and pleaded with the court for a declaration of damages for trespass, recovery of possession, and a further injunction to restrain Anas or his assigns from further trespasses.
The High Court, presided over by Justice Gyimah, threw away a suit filed by Anas seeking an order of the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that it was an abuse of process.
The Supreme Court, in a decisive decision, ruled that Anas’s 2005 customary land grant is valid and superior, the respondent’s 2015 registered title is void, perverse, and cancelled.
It added that the Hillsview Development’s root of title was illegal as it relied on a single trustee in violation of Act 106.
The Supreme Court justices upheld that Anas’s 2005 customary land grant was valid, lawful, and supported by overwhelming evidence.