The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that armed men had
attacked the mission on Friday night and demolished the official residence of
the High Commission of Nigeria, which was under construction.
Shirley Ayokor Botchewey, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Regional Integration, said this while briefing journalists in Ghana
on the outcome of the investigation into the attack.
She said, “The Land Commission will formerly inform the Osu
Traditional Council that in August, 2000, offer was made to High Commission of
Nigeria, irrespective of the title of land in question.
“The offer was accepted by the High Commission and payment
was made accordingly that constituted a contract.
“The Land Commission will proceed to issue a Land
Certificate to the High Commission of Nigeria, to regularise its ownership of
the property in question.
“Ghana will take immediate steps to engage the Osu stool and
all stakeholders on the impasse.
“Ghana will ensure that the demolished building is restored
to its original state as soon as possible.
“The High Commission of Nigeria will take appropriate steps
to obtain building permit for the construction.”
She added that a committee consisting of officials of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Police Service, National Security, and the
Lands Commission had been constituted to investigate the unlawful demolition of
the building.
According to her, based on a preliminary investigation,
Nigeria paid for the land 20 years ago, even though the High Commission could
not produce the lease, land title certificate and building permit of the land.
She, however, gave an assurance that the government of Ghana
would actively engage the Nigeria government at the highest level, to address
the impasse and help calm tensions in both countries.
She said that arrests had been arrested in relation to the
demolition and that the case had been prosecuted in court for conspiracy to
crime and cause of unlawful damages.
(NAN)
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