A resident of Dzodze Fiagbedu in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, by the name, Kwabla Ahiakonu, has petitioned the Duamenefa Foundation, under the leadership of its Executive President who double as the CEO of Fafaa 100.3 Fm, Dzodze, Mr. Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe, for investigation and intervention over an alleged land dispute that he says has escalated into spiritual claims and caused fear and tension within his family.
According to Mr. Ahiakonu, the dispute involves a local diviner identified as Dzodefe, who has laid claim to a parcel of land he insists belongs to his family. He stated that the claimant did not raise any ownership concerns during the lifetime of his father, who was previously recognized as the rightful owner of the land.
He further alleged that the situation worsened after Dzodefe reportedly poured a black substance on the land, an act Mr. Ahiakonu believes has resulted in what he describes as spiritual attacks affecting members of his family. He claimed that some relatives have fallen ill, while others have reportedly died under unclear circumstances.
Mr. Ahiakonu also stated that his wife is currently critically ill and bedridden. According to him, she has been losing weight rapidly, and her condition has deteriorated to the extent that he sometimes soaks a towel in water and places it on her body in the evening to ease her discomfort. He further linked her illness to the ongoing dispute, adding that a similar condition allegedly affected the wife of one Mr. Atsu Vivordi, who later died during an earlier stage of the same conflict.
He added that attempts to resolve the matter through traditional authorities were unsuccessful, claiming that Dzodefe failed to honour multiple summons, which compelled him to seek the intervention of the Duamenefa Foundation.
In response to the allegations, the Duamenefa Foundation engaged Dzodefe for his side of the story. He denied claims that he refused to honour the summons of Awadada Torgbui Esru. According to him, the summons was delivered through Torgbui Ege, the traditional ruler of Dzodze Fiagbedu, from Awadada Torgbui Esru.
Dzodefe explained that after receiving the letter through Torgbui Ege, he understood that the matter had already been addressed at the local level, and for that reason, he did not appear before Awadada Torgbui Esru. He maintained that his decision was based on the contents and direction of the communication he received.
The Foundation also engaged the palace of Torgbui Ege over allegations that a letter had been written advising Dzodefe not to honour the summons. The palace initially denied knowledge of such a directive. However, it was later suggested by youth chief Mr. Gamado that Torgbui Ege has a secretary, and he may have instructed the secretary to write the letter without his full direct knowledge of its content.
Further clarification from the engagement indicated that Agbotadua Saka, brother of the accused and associated with the palace structure, stated that the matter originally stemmed from an alleged land encroachment complaint and had already been addressed by the palace of Torgbui Ege before the summons from Awadada Torgbui Esru. He further noted that the spiritual claims raised in the petition were not part of the case handled by the palace.
During the Foundation’s engagement, conflicting explanations emerged between the youth chief and Agbotadua Saka regarding key aspects of the case. When asked whether the palace of Torgbui Ege had been divided into two due to the differing accounts, both parties confirmed that the palace remains one and has not been divided.
It was, however, made clear to the Duamenefa Foundation that there is no division within the palace after the youth chief, Mr. Gamado, further explained that there were some issues concerning the matter which he had not earlier communicated to the palace. He indicated that this lack of full disclosure may have created the impression of division, whereas in reality, it was a matter of incomplete information.
The youth chief also disclosed that there were certain details related to the matter which he had not initially communicated to Torgbui Ege.
Concerns have also been raised within the community regarding possible conflict of interest, as Agbotadua Saka, who is related to the accused, is also connected to the palace structure of Torgbui Ege.
Meanwhile, some residents are calling for transparency and caution, urging all parties involved to remain calm and allow traditional and investigative processes to take their course without escalation.
The Duamenefa Foundation has urged the public to remain calm, stressing that the matter is still under active investigation. It emphasized that its primary focus is to ensure the safety and well-being of all persons allegedly affected while continuing engagements with all parties involved.
In addition, Mr. Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe of the Duamenefa Foundation has appealed to the public to exercise patience in life, noting that nothing material can be taken anywhere in the end. He encouraged calmness and restraint as the Foundation continues its work to ensure peaceful resolution of the matter.
Members of the public have also lamented the increasing cases of land disputes in communities, describing it as unfortunate that such issues are now being linked to alleged spiritual attacks. They expressed concern that some individuals resort to such means in conflicts over property, emphasizing that land is temporary and no one takes it with them after life.
Some residents familiar with the area where the disputed land is located have further indicated that the portion of land in question is relatively small. They questioned whether such a small piece of land should result in a dispute of this nature, especially one allegedly linked to loss of lives and serious health conditions, asking if it is worth the destruction of human lives.
The public is further advised to stay tuned to Fafaa 100.3 FM as the investigation continues.
Authorities and traditional leaders are yet to make further public pronouncements on the matter.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze