CITEG Demands Justice for Kofi Ntim Manu Over Alleged Unpaid Compensation and Atomic Land Dispute

Citizen Eye Watch Ghana (CITEG), a civil society organization, has called for an urgent investigation into an alleged land dispute involving its petitioner, Mr. Kofi Ntim Manu, popularly known as Kofi Lee.

At a press conference in Accra, CITEG President and Founder, Mr. Alex Kwaku Tetteh, said the organization with a stated membership of over 98,000 people across Ghana and abroad, was intervening to demand accountability, rule of law and protection of citizens’ rights.

According to CITEG, Mr. Ntim Manu alleges he lost 24 plots of land at Atomic, Accra, in 2019 in a transaction reportedly involving US$126,000 with Mr. George Oti Bonsu, founder and leader of The Base Movement.

CITEG said the dispute led to court proceedings. According to information made available to the group, Mr. Oti Bonsu allegedly stated during cross-examination that he had sold 15 of the disputed plots to Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong — an assertion CITEG says requires verification against official court records and land documents.

Quoting from a judgment wording made available to it, CITEG claimed the court imposed a three-year custodial sentence on the respondent on Count 1 and ordered payment to the appellant of an amount equivalent to twice the aggregate consideration of US$126,000 — amounting to US$252,000 — or its equivalent in Ghana cedis, with failure to pay resulting in an additional two years custodial sentence.

CITEG is therefore calling on judicial authorities to clarify the present status of the sentence, the compensation order, any payments made, and whether the orders have been lawfully complied with.

The group also referenced further allegations made by Mr. Ntim Manu. According to him, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong allegedly contacted him after the judgment, apologised on behalf of Mr. Oti Bonsu, and allegedly told him he had spoken with Justice Anin Yeboah concerning arrangements for a three-member panel at the Court of Appeal to consider bail for Mr. Oti Bonsu.

Mr. Ntim Manu further alleges that Hon. Agyapong assured him the money would be paid in full and asked him to send a representative to Parliament to receive it, but the representative waited without receiving the money.

According to CITEG, Mr. Ntim Manu subsequently received information that US$162,000 had been paid into a court account, leaving an alleged balance of US$90,000 against the US$252,000 order.

“The central question remains: if the money was paid as compensation to Mr Ntim Manu, why does he maintain that he has neither received the disputed land nor recovered his money?” CITEG queried.

The group alleged that payment documentation was subsequently presented to the Court of Appeal with representations that payment had been made and steps to return the land were underway, and that an application was later made to recover the US$162,000 on the basis that the land had been returned — although Mr. Ntim Manu maintains he received neither land nor money.

CITEG stressed that it does not present the allegations as proven facts and is not condemning any individual before evidence is tested. It said public office or political influence must not shield anyone from legitimate scrutiny, but equally, mention of a name does not establish criminal liability.

The organisation made six key demands:

1. To the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice to review the case file to determine whether criminal investigation or prosecution is warranted.
2. To the Court of Appeal to verify the status of proceedings, the compensation order, the reported US$162,000 payment, the alleged US$90,000 balance, and any application concerning recovery of funds.
3. To law-enforcement agencies to investigate credible evidence of fraud or false representations.
4. To judicial accountability bodies to examine any substantiated concerns regarding judicial conduct through proper constitutional procedures.
5. To the parties involved to provide documentation and cooperate to establish whether land was transferred and compensation paid.
6. To the courts to ensure civil issues are determined fairly and expeditiously.

CITEG said Mr. Ntim Manu’s health has deteriorated amid the prolonged dispute, heightening the human cost of unresolved litigation.

The group also appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to ensure allegations involving persons with access to political circles are assessed through lawful channels, referencing concerns raised about a person identified as Ben, reportedly chairman of the Nungua area, and alleged links to Mr. Oti Bonsu — which CITEG said it has not independently established.

“Our demand is simple: establish the facts, enforce lawful court orders, investigate credible allegations and ensure that Kofi Ntim Manu receives justice through due process,” Mr. Tetteh said.

CITEG said its intervention is not motivated by political rivalry and it will continue to advocate for accountability and equal justice for all.