Bawumia’s office denies demolishing family house at Labone, orders IGP to probe
The Office of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has denied knowledge of demolishing a family house in Labone and Cantonments or any person related to his office carrying out such an assignment.
In an official statement issued on September 6, 2024, and signed by Gideon Boako, the spokesperson to the Vice President stated that the office of the Vice President does not have any interest in properties around the enclave of Cantonments and Labone areas.
“The Office of the Vice President has taken notice of news items alleging unlawful entry and demolition of some properties in the Cantonments and Labone areas. The perpetrators of these acts are alleged to have indicated that they are from the Vice President’s Office.
“We wish to place on record that the Vice President or his Office does not have any interest in any property in the Cantonments and Labone areas where such acts are alleged to have occurred.
“Also, no officer, agent, or assign has been directed by the Vice President or his Office to secure and/or interfere in any matter pertaining to lands or properties in the Labone and Cantonment areas,” part of the statement said.
The statement continued, “We call on the IGP and the police hierarchy to collaborate with the victims to apprehend the perpetrators for the necessary legal action.
“We are by this release, calling on the general public to treat as false any information contrary to the position stated above.”
It may be recalled that the family house of the late Ambassador JB Lomotey on Sithole Road, stretching from Morning Star to Kofi Baako, was demolished in broad daylight.
The JB Lomotey family, who had renewed their lease with the State Housing Company just last year and have no known debts or disputes, was shocked to find their home wrecked two weeks ago and completely leveled by Sunday morning, September 1, 2024.
The coordinated attack involved at least 60 individuals, including armed police officers, masked thugs, and a large group of men on motorbikes who were allegedly being led by one Lomotey, Chief, and another, Peter.
In a matter of hours, the house was torn down, and the debris was removed. The attackers, who claimed to be operating under the authority of the Vice President’s office, left the family and neighbours in disbelief.
“It’s one thing to see stuff like this in WhatsApp videos, and a completely different ball game to watch it live,” said a resident who witnessed the event.
Concerns have heightened after one local resident had the chance to review documents linked to the landguards.
“It is scary to see which agencies were involved. The official documents these people have to seize and demolish people’s property are terrifying,” the resident said.
In an interview, the grandson of the late JB Lomotey, Sylvester Ashon, called on Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s office to step in and launch an investigation on behalf of the family, as the alleged chief claims to be associated with his office.
“For now, we are pleading with the government because the man is going around saying he is from the office of the Vice President, and so we are pleading with the government to come in and unravel what is happening. Because it is a dent in the government.
“It is a complete dent on the government, and so we are pleading for justice because this is our property. Again, we are asking that one engineer from LADMA who is alleged to have signed some papers be picked and questioned,” he said.
