Two persons claiming to be officials of the Forestry Commission have been accused of causing damage and unlawful entry into the official Bungalow of colleague official amid guns shots and threats.
Edem Koku and Elikem Kotoko, who identified themselves as the Liaison Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission respectively, have been accused of the offence which are contrary to sections 172 and 152 of the Criminal Offence Act 1960 (Act 29).
On July 15, 2025 at 1.30 am, the accused allegedly invaded the Range Quarters of the Forestry Services Division of the Forestry Commission at Tepa.
Amid guns shots and threats, a group of persons, led by Edem Koku and Elikem Kotoko forcibly broke into the bedroom of Mr. Albert Yeboah Ninson, the Range Supervisor stationed at Tepa.
The two accused persons dragged Mr. Ninson out of his room and took batteries of two vehicles, which had been impounded and started the engines of the seized vehicles, while they recorded the events on camera.
Vehicles with registration number GC 2837-16 (Rhino), GN 1754-22 and GG 3237-16 (both Man Diesel) had been impounded and kept at the Range Supervisor’s bungalow on suspicion of transporting illegally chain-sawn lumber without necessary documentation and permits.
It took the intervention of the local Police Commander and the Patrol Team to contain the situation.
A complaint was later lodged with the Tepa Police, upon which Edem Koku, who had earlier been declared wanted by the Tepa Municipal Police, was arrested with a warrant issued by the Tepa Magistrate Court on July 16, 2025.
He was arrested recently and charged with the offence. The Court has adjourned to March 18, 2026 to decide the fate of Edem Koku, currently on bail, while efforts are being made to arrest Elikem Kotoko, who allegedly headed the operation at the wee hours of July 15, 2025 at Ninson’s bungalow.
Believing that the incidents on the night of July 15 breaches Ninson’s constitutional rights to privacy, criminal trespass, threats of harm and death, abuse of office and power and unlawful interference of his official duty, which he sees as serious matters, Adjei Bediako @ Law, Solicitors of the complainant, Albert Ninson, have petitioned the Board chairman, Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, as well as the Regional and District Managers of the Forestry Service Division of the Forestry Commission to cause a thorough investigation into the unlawful entry, threats, assault and removal of impounded vehicles from the complaint’s official bungalow.
The complainant has assured of his readiness and willingness to appear before any Committee to assist in investigations.
Complainant Ninson wants the Forestry Commission to clarify if the unfortunate incident and attack of July 15, 2025 was sanctioned by the FC and whether it (FC) authorised Elikem Kotoko who identified himself as the Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission to undertake such activities, which breached the Laws of Ghana.
He is also seeking answers as to whether there is any legal basis for the forceful entry into his official bungalow to breach his constitutional rights having gone to the extent of recording him without his consent and whether or not the FC authorised the removal of the impounded vehicles that were loaded with suspected illegally chain-sawn lumbers.
In reaction, the Board chairman of FC, Isaac Essien Esq., has constituted a five-member Investigation Committee of Enquiry to investigate the allegations.
The proposed Committee has two weeks to submit a report and recommendations for consideration.
The Board chairman, per letter with Ref. FC/8CR/A.52/SF.1/V4/38 dated February 3, 2026 requested that Ninson makes himself available to assist in investigations.
It was further proposed that Complainant Ninson takes steps to withdraw the case from the District court as a sign of good faith and cooperation to achieve lasting resolution of the impasse.
For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z
The post Tepa Forestry Commission boss petitions board over alleged unlawful entry appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS