A District Magistrate Court in Nalerigu has convicted and sentenced 12 individuals involved in a violent land dispute in the Gbalo community near Chereponi in the Northeast Region.

The court imposed a fine of 400 penalty units—equivalent to GHS 4,800—on each of the convicts, with a default sentence of 18 months in prison. The sentencing followed nearly three years of legal proceedings and was delivered on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

According to the police, the incident dates back to July 25, 2022, when the convicts—residents of Gbalo—mobilized and launched an attack on the neighboring Sagong/Kukpong community. The assault resulted in multiple houses being torched and significant property damage.

Their arrests came a month later, on August 24, 2022, following an intelligence-led operation by the North East Regional Police Command.

Presiding over the case, His Worship Simon Kofi Bediako found the accused guilty on two counts: conspiracy to commit a crime and causing unlawful damage. The court emphasized the seriousness of their actions and delivered its verdict accordingly.

In a statement, Deputy Superintendent of Police Robert Anabik Anmain, Acting Public Relations Officer, assured the public that the police would not relent in pursuing perpetrators of violence. He urged communities to resolve disputes through peaceful and lawful means.

“Community members are advised to use peaceful and legal means to resolve conflicts and disputes in their communities,” DSP Anmain stated.