The Ghana Police Service has formally interdicted Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Alhassan Malaika Jibril, following allegations of involvement in a demolition exercise at the Accra Race Course in Borteyman on Saturday, August 22, 2026. This interdiction follows an announcement by the Police on Facebook regarding an investigation into the incident.
The statement released by the Police Administration on Wednesday detailed the interdiction, stating that DSP/Mr. Jibril has been formally detained pending the completion of investigations.
The police are citing the incident as a key focus of their investigations, which involve scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the demolition. The investigation is being conducted in coordination with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB), with the aim of determining culpability and addressing the potential for criminal activity.
The demolition, as reported, involved approximately 200 armed men, including police officers and heavy-duty equipment, according to the Accra Turf Club. The club alleges that the group demolished approximately 100 horse stables, buildings, racing facilities, vegetation, and utility infrastructure, resulting in significant property damage. A crucial element of the dispute centers around a land claim involving a 46.64-hectare parcel of land located within the Borteyman area, which the Accra Turf Club asserts is its established home since 2006 following the relocation of the old Accra Race Course site. The Turf Club cites a 2005 High Court order granting them exclusive rights to the land, which is now being challenged.
The Turf Club further argues that the August 22 demolition was orchestrated by individuals identified as Clement Dzato and another person referred to as Azuma, who were allegedly commanding the police officers. The Turf Club claims that DSP Jibril was directing the police officers during the operation, though it alleges that the individuals involved indicated their right to the land, but no court order or document authorizing the demolition was presented to the Turf Club.
Following the dispute, the Accra Turf Club appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, the Interior Minister, the Lands Minister, the Attorney-General, the Inspector-General of Police, and the National Security Coordinator to intervene. They are demanding that the alleged land grabbers be removed, that the property be restored to its original possession, and that the circumstances surrounding the demolition be thoroughly investigated. The dispute is also linked to the historical significance of horse racing in Ghana, with the Accra Turf Club being established in 1923 and the sport having a long-standing tradition and economic impact within the community.
The Ghana Police Service has formally interdicted DSP Alhassan Malaika Jibril, initiating a formal investigation into the events at the Borteyman Race Course. The investigation is expected to provide further details into the events and potentially lead to further legal action.
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Source: Graphic Online
