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02.02.2009 NDC

NDC Machomen Seize Timber Factory

By Daily Guide
NDC Machomen Seize Timber Factory
02.02.2009 LISTEN

SOME GURUS of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the company of some macho men stormed the premises of Dalebrook Company, a timber processing firm at Apremdo near Takoradi in the Western Region last Saturday, placing the company under siege.

The macho men, who claimed they were acting on the orders of one Mashood Mohammed, a staunch member of the NDC who is based in Accra and Takoradi, declared that Mr Mohammed had purchased the place and had come to take over.

Mashood, who threw his weight about at the Kwesimintsim police station, told the police that he was a Ghanaian so there was no need taking his statement before allowing him to hand over food to one of his macho men, who was then being detained for slamming a heavy metal gate against ASP Magnus Sam, the District Commander.

He also hurled insults at the police, accusing them of beating his macho man, Ernest Macarthy with a truncheon, an allegation the police denied.  

“You policemen respect Lebanese and foreigners but rather treat Ghanaians like me as foreigners. We the NDC are now in political power and we shall see,” he roared in anger.

However, in reaction, a police inspector said that the police would remain neutral in the discharge of their duties and would equally not allow unscrupulous and lawless citizens to intimidate and bully others.

Mashood told the police in the presence of DAILY GUIDE that an Accra High Court had auctioned the factory to him so he had brought some macho men to protect his property and brandished some documents he was holding as evidence of the purchase.

One of the macho men, Ernest Macarthy was arrested but later granted police enquiry bail for slamming the factory's metal gate against ASP Sam, who had to be rushed to the GAPOHA hospital in Takoradi for treatment.

When DAILY GUIDE got to the factory premises there were five policemen in mufty led by the Kwesimintsim District Crime Officer, ASP Boakye Ansah, who said they rushed to the place following a distress call they had that some macho men had locked up the factory.

According to ASP Ansah, the macho men refused them entry on grounds that their 'master' Mashood Mohammed had instructed them not to allow anybody to enter the factory.

On the main gate of the premises was found a court document (Certificate of Purchase) from an Accra High Court indicating that one Joris Wartenberg had auctioned the place to one Millicent Appah of Obaa Kyaa Enterprise, C46/12, Abavana Junction, Kotobabi in Accra.

The court order was purported to have emanated from judgment in a case involving Joris Wartenberg (plaintiff) versus Ben Abban, John Donnan and Dalebrook as defendants.

Investigations by DAILY GUIDE revealed that prior to the auction the premises had been rented out to an oil exploration services company.

The oil exploration services company, realising that their interest was in jeopardy as a result of an eviction notice by the purchaser, also obtained an interim injunction from the Sekondi High Court restraining the purchaser from evicting them.

It was learnt that on January 28 this year, Mashood, probably an agent of the substantive purchaser, had entered the factory to evict the staff of the oil exploration services company and in the process a court clerk served Mashood with a copy of the interim court injunction restraining him from evicting the oil company.     

Mashood, however, disregarded the court injunction and had some entrances to the offices of the oil company blocked.

On Saturday, February 1 2009, at about 9:30 am, Mashood further showed contempt to the court by coming to the factory with macho men and instructing them not to allow anybody into the premises.

Meanwhile, people who were attracted to the scene have expressed disgust and utter disappointment at the return of NDC functionaries and their rampant use of macho men and violence to pursue their agenda.  

DAILY GUIDE is still investigating and would give readers an update of events, as the incident is suspected to have some political undertones.

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