The office of the special prosecutor has said it has “commenced full investigations into suspected corruption and in corruption-related offences in respect of alleged improper and unlawful acquisition state lands at the Achimota forest enclave and Ramsar catchment at Sakumono in Accra by the former chief executive officer the forestry commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, alias Sir John (now deceased) and other persons”.

A statement signed by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said: “The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is directed to fully cooperate with the OSP in the investigations”.

A leaked document suspected to be Sir John’s last will, captured the following parcels of land which he bequeathed to his relatives forever.

Two plots of land located in Ahenema Kokoben in the Ashanti Region

Two plots of land with registration number GA56921 located in Oyarifa, which were acquired on November 6, 2018.

A 5.541-acre land located in Achimota Forest held in the name of Jakaypros Limited

A 0.987-acre land located in Achimota Forest held in the name of Fasoh Limited

Unspecified piece of land located in the Achimota Forest jointly owned with Charles Owusu

An unspecified piece of land held in the name of DML located in the Achimota forest

A 5.07-acre land at the Ramsar site, Sakumono

Five plots of land located at Millenium city, Kasoa

One plot of land with certificate number GA60802, located at Mempeheusem, East Legon, acquired on December 13, 2019.

Two plots of land approximately of 0.40acres located at No.7 ARS Lane, Ogbojo, near East legon

One plot of land near the Chain Homes Estate at East Airport Hills.

A piece of land numbered plot 139 located within the Adentaman District (aka Aviation land).

Some 351 acres of lands on the peripheries of the Achimota forest were recently declassified through an executive instrument for onward release to the pre-acquisition owners – the Owoo family.

The decision has generated heated debate in the country about how such state lands are annexed by government officials and politicians in power.