President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana has tendered an official apology to his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari. This is following the illegal building demolition on the premises of the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.
The two West African leaders spoke by telephone, according to Nigerian presidential spokesman Garba Shehu. Akufo-Addo subsequently assured Buhari that a full investigation would be made into the incident. Shehu also added that a number of suspects had been arrested.
According to local media, a number of people entered the residence of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana with a bulldozer and razed a structure that was nearly completed. It was to be housing for either staff or visitors.
Online news site GhanaWeb said it interviewed Nii Odoi Kwao II, a member of the Osu Stool, a traditional council. Nii Odoi is also the head of the Nii Odei Kwao family. He said that the land the Nigerian High Commission built on land that belonged to the Osu Stool.
“Nii Odei who declined to speak on the matter of the demolition carried out by unidentified persons extensively said, the incident is a sad one which the Osu Council is not happy about,” according to GhanaWeb.
The leader said that the Osu Stool will be meeting to discuss the pending litigation over the land. He also added that the traditional council did not intend to make a diplomatic row over the issue. Nigeria had lodged a complaint after the incident.
In Nigeria, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila spoke out on behalf of the House. The honourable speaker called for retaliatory measures for those who do not respect diplomatic rights and privileges of Nigeria and its citizens in foreign lands.
