A native of Tema, Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio, has petitioned the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate a GH¢889,000 payment made by Sonite Ghana Limited to four individuals who allegedly claimed to represent the chiefs, youth and residents of Tema Newtown.
Mr Amarfio, through his lawyers, is seeking clarification on the authority under which the individuals purportedly acted on behalf of the Tema traditional authorities and community, as well as the circumstances surrounding the payment by Sonite Ghana Limited.
The petition, dated September 11, 2026, names four individuals who allegedly represented themselves as acting for the chiefs, youth and people of Tema Newtown. They are Abraham Adjei, identified as T-Youth President; Joseph B. Mensah, Vice President; Sumaila Adjetey Aggaby, Assembly Member; and Mohammed Eliasu, Organizer.
According to the petition, a document described as a receipt indicates that the four individuals received GH¢889,000 on behalf of the people of Tema Newtown. The amount was equivalent to approximately US$70,000 at the time of the transaction.
Questions Over GH¢889,000 Land Payment
Mr Amarfio’s petition is seeking to establish why the names of the chiefs, youth and people of Tema were used in connection with the demand for the money and why Sonite Ghana Limited made the payment.
EOCO has been urged to investigate the nature and basis of the financial demand, including who initiated it and the purpose for which the funds were allegedly requested.
The petition also calls for an investigation into whether fraud, deception or other organised criminal conduct occurred in connection with the demand, receipt or subsequent use of the money.
The lawyers want EOCO to determine whether any unlawful activity took place before the payment and whether Sonite Ghana Limited made the payment as a result of duress, coercion, intimidation or other unlawful pressure.
Tema Traditional Council Mentioned in Petition
The petition further asks EOCO to establish whether the Tema Traditional Council, its elders or any individuals acting under its authority had knowledge of or were involved in the demand and receipt of the money.
Specifically, the lawyers want investigators to determine whether the traditional authorities authorised, participated in or otherwise became involved in the transaction.
The petition comes against the backdrop of a wider land dispute in Tema involving Sonite Ghana Limited.
Sonite Ghana’s Claim Over Tema Land
Sonite Ghana Limited claims ownership of a 25,000-square-metre plot of land in Tema, which it says was acquired approximately 12 years ago in partnership with a Korean business partner.
The company said it subsequently constructed five warehouses on the property in 2020 and began work in September 2025 to install cold rooms for fish storage.
According to Sonite, the situation changed when individuals claiming to represent the “Community” allegedly occupied the property and demanded approximately 4,000 square metres of the land.
The individuals reportedly claimed that they had originally sold the land to the company’s Korean partner, who later transferred ownership to Sonite Ghana Limited.
Sonite said it initially involved the Ghana Police Service and later engaged a private security company before entering negotiations with the individuals and their alleged “chief” on the advice of its lawyer.
The negotiations reportedly resulted in an agreement under which Sonite paid US$70,000, equivalent to GH¢889,000, after which the disputed area of land was cleared.
However, the company said the individuals subsequently returned and renewed their demand for the 4,000-square-metre portion of the property.
Sonite rejected the renewed demand and instructed its lawyer to take steps to recover the money it had paid.
EOCO Investigation Sought
Mr Amarfio’s lawyers argue that the matter raises issues of significant public interest, particularly because individuals may have purported to act in the name of traditional authorities, youth groups and community members.
The petition therefore wants EOCO to establish the facts surrounding the GH¢889,000 payment, the authority of the individuals involved and whether any criminal or other unlawful conduct occurred.
The outcome of any investigation could provide further clarity on the disputed transaction and the broader Tema land dispute, while also addressing concerns about land ownership, community representation and investment opportunities in Ghana.
Source: newsthemegh.com