High Court bars ex-Air Force officer, others from disputed Tse Addo land

By Yaw Opoku Amoako April 9, 2026

The Land Division of the Accra High Court has ordered Squadron Leader John William Quainoo (rtd) and some serving officers to stay away from a disputed parcel of land at Tse Addo in Accra.

In a judgment dated January 27, 2026, and presided over by Kwame Gyamfi Osei, the court placed a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant and his associates from entering or interfering with the land.

The ruling followed the court’s finding that Sqn Ldr Quainoo (rtd), who currently works with Africa World Airlines, failed to provide evidence to support his claim that the plaintiff’s grantors lacked the legal capacity to transfer the land.

“It is clear from the evidence that the defendant interfered with the disputed land. He has since failed to justify his intentions on the plaintiff’s land,” the judge held.

The court awarded GH¢100,000 in punitive damages against the defendant for using soldiers to trespass on the land even after judgment. An additional GH¢60,000 was also awarded in costs.

The court further declared Adolf Tetteh Adjei as the rightful owner of the 2.40-acre property and granted him full possession.

Background

Mr Adjei initiated legal action against Sqn Ldr Quainoo (rtd), accusing him of trespassing on the land.

He sought a perpetual injunction to prevent the defendant, his agents, or any persons acting on his behalf from entering or dealing with the property, along with general damages, recovery of possession, and legal costs, including lawyer’s fees.

The court’s decision effectively brings the dispute in favour of the plaintiff, reinforcing his ownership rights over the land.