Court denies Freddie Blay bail in Kitase land demolition

A Circuit Court in Akropong has denied bail to Mr. Freddie Blay, a former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), following his arrest in connection with a disputed land demolition at Kitase in the Eastern Region.

Mr. Blay was taken into custody on Monday, March 16, 2026, after police in Accra executed an arrest warrant issued by the court. He was subsequently transferred to the Akropong Police to face charges related to the incident. The court’s decision on Tuesday keeps him in police custody pending further proceedings.

The case against the former NPP chairman stems from a complaint lodged by an individual who accused Mr. Blay of ordering the demolition of a house under construction on a parcel of land at Kitase. The complainant reported the matter to the police, who then invited Mr. Blay to assist with investigations.

According to court documents, Mr. Blay failed to honour the police invitation. Charges were subsequently filed, but he was absent from his scheduled arraignment in April 2025, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

However, sources close to Mr. Blay have presented a different version of events, asserting that he was unaware of the legal proceedings against him. The sources claim the dispute revolves around a piece of land Mr. Blay legitimately purchased in 1994.

They explain that while the complainant had previously secured a judgment in their favour at the High Court in Koforidua, that ruling is currently under appeal. The sources added that attempts to serve the complainant with legal documents pertaining to the appeal were unsuccessful.

Regarding the demolition allegation, the sources insist that Mr. Blay did not order the destruction of any structure. They claim that in January 2026, he merely instructed for a bare, undeveloped piece of land to be cleared to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for reptiles and other dangerous animals. The sources further maintain that Mr. Blay was completely unaware of the arrest warrant until it was executed on Monday.

Mr. Blay is expected to reappear in court shortly as the legal process continues. The case highlights a protracted land dispute that has now taken a significant legal turn with the detention of the prominent politician.