The Akropong Circuit Court has ordered the remand of Freddie Blay, the former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), following his arrest in connection with a disputed property demolition at Kitase in the Eastern Region.
Mr. Blay, a veteran legal practitioner and political figure, was handed over to the Akropong Police on Monday, 16th March 2026, after officers in Accra executed a criminal arrest warrant that had been outstanding for nearly a year.
He appeared before the court shortly after his arrest and is expected to remain in custody until his next scheduled appearance on 9th April 2026.
The case stems from a criminal complaint filed by a landowner who alleges that Mr. Blay ordered the demolition of a house under construction on a contested parcel of land in Kitase.
According to judicial records, the prosecution’s timeline is as follows:
A report was filed with the police regarding the destruction of property. Authorities claim Mr. Blay failed to honour police invitations to assist with the investigation.
Consequently, charges were filed in early 2025, but the former chairman did not appear for his scheduled court date in April 2025.
This led to a warrant for his arrest, which was issued and remained active until its execution this Monday.
Sources close to Mr. Blay have challenged the narrative of him evading justice, insisting he was entirely unaware of the arrest warrant until he was taken into custody. They argue that the dispute is civil in nature, rooted in a land purchase dating back to 1994 which has been the subject of protracted litigation.
Addressing the specific allegation of demolition, the sources maintained that Mr. Blay did not order the destruction of any building. Instead, they claim he directed the clearing of a bare plot in January 2026 for public health reasons, specifically to prevent the area from becoming a breeding ground for dangerous reptiles and other animals.
The land in question has a complex judicial history. The complainant previously secured a favourable ruling at the High Court in Koforidua; however, Mr. Blay’s legal team has since appealed that decision.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com