Twelve residents of the Gbalo community in the North East Region have been convicted and sentenced by the Nalerigu District Magistrate Court for their roles in a violent land dispute that escalated into a destructive attack on a neighboring village.
The judgment brings an end to a nearly three-year-long legal process stemming from the 2022 incident.
Presiding Judge Simon Kofi Bediako found all 12 individuals guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime and causing unlawful damage, handing down a fine of 400 penalty units each—equivalent to GH¢4,800. In default of payment, each convict will serve 18 months in prison.
The case dates back to July 25, 2022, when tensions over land ownership between the Gbalo community and the neighboring Sagong/Kukpong village flared into violence.
According to police accounts, the convicted individuals mobilized and launched a coordinated attack on Sagong/Kukpong, setting multiple homes ablaze and inflicting considerable damage on property.
The North East Regional Police Command, acting on intelligence, launched an operation that led to the arrest of the suspects on August 24, 2022—almost a month after the assault.
Their detention marked the beginning of a lengthy legal battle that concluded on April 9, 2025, with the court’s final ruling.
Speaking after the judgment, Deputy Superintendent of Police Robert Anabik Anmain, Acting Public Relations Officer for the region, expressed satisfaction with the outcome and reaffirmed the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order.
“This ruling serves as a reminder that the law will catch up with anyone who resorts to violence,” DSP Anmain said.
“We urge all communities to adopt peaceful and legal approaches to resolving land and other disputes.”
-BY Justice Akoto
