Former Finance Minister Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta has sued two police officers who led a team of twelve to invade his residence recently.
The pair are DSP Bismark Boakye Ansah and Chief Inspector Mensah a.k.a. Sir Mensah both of Accra.
Mr. Ofori-Atta, who is the Plaintiff, is claiming against the Defendants jointly and severally a
declaration that Defendants’ entry upon and conduct of a search on Plaintiff’s property with house number 25 Aborlebu CR, GL-041-2486, Labone, Accra on 11th of February, 2025 amounted to trespass and a breach of his right to privacy.
He is also seeking damages for trespass, aggravated Damages for breach of privacy, and a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants, whether by themselves, agents, assigns, from entering upon the Plaintiff’s property and/or further breaching the Plaintiff’s privacy or repeating similar or other conduct against the Plaintiff.
Costs.
This writ was issued by Adjekum & Company, a law firm in Accra. It was filed in the High Court (General Jurisdiction) Accra.
Mr. Ofori-Atta stated in his statement of claim that he is a former Minister for Finance and Economic Planning of the Republic of Ghana and was at all material times in possession of house number 25 Aborlebu CR., GL-041-2486, Labone, Accrsa.
He stated that at all material times the property was, at his instance, under the care and control of his domestic staff as he was temporarily out of the jurisdiction on medical treatment.
He said that on 11the February, 2025 the 1st and 2nd Defendants together with some 12 others (hereinafter collectively called “the raiding team”) without prior notice to and/or the consent of the Plaintiff and bereft of any legal basis, entered the property and conducted an extensive search thereof. The subject of the search was not disclosed.
“The “raiding team” comprised the Defendants, 9 Military personnel carrying assault rifles and other menacingly looking individuals in plain clothes, some of whom carried side arms on their bodies.
“The raiding team” did not produce any form of warrant nor indicate to the Plaintiff’s domestic staff the basis for the search but warned the domestic staff to desist from using their mobile phones throughout the entire period of the unauthorized operation,” the statement of claim outlined.
Mr. Ofori-Atta narrated that his domestic staff, with morbid fear, and intense trepidation, looked on helplessly as the raiding team searched the nooks and crannies of the property including but not limited to the compounds, bedrooms, open spaces, kitchen, cutlery, drawers, fridge, freezer, cupboards, closets, plates and car.
“A member of the raiding team who doubled as a videographer filmed, with his cell phone, all the spaces in the property, including bedrooms, living areas, the kitchen and other private spaces.
“Plaintiff’s domestic staff were thereby traumatised and have sustained varying degrees of severe shock as a result. Plaintiff says that the conduct of the Defendants and their cohorts was in the circumstances trespassory and invasive of Plaintiff’s property and privacy rights.
“Plaintiff says further that the raid on the property which gained notoriety both domestically and internationally has not only exposed him to public ridicule, resentment and scorn but also portrayed him as a criminal and this has negatively impacted his hard earned reputation in the international community,” he said.
Mr. Ofori-Atta narrated that through his Lawyers he sought confirmation from the Offices of the National Intelligence Bureau, the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police whether or not “the raiding team” acted at their instance and the purpose thereof but no response thereto has been received.
“Because of the matters aforesaid the Plaintiff has suffered great anxiety and distress and in the premises has suffered loss and damage as well.
“Plaintiff says that the Defendants will not refrain from further interference with his property and privacy rights unless restrained by the Court.
“Plaintiff avers further that the Defendants will not compensate him for their unlawful acts unless compelled so to do by the Court,” he concluded.
