Okyehene In Big Trouble

Okyehene Amoatia Ofori-Panin the Paramount Chief of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, in the Eastern Region is reported to have fallen in big trouble, the Accra times has learnt.

The renowned Chief has been slapped with a contempt case by the Abuakwa Traditional Council following his decision to allegedly flout a court order against the installation of one Nana Ntiku II as Chief of Asuom, a farming community in the Eastern Region. Already that particular stool is being occupied by another chief in the person of Barimah Okofoni Okropa II, who, according to sources, is the rightful occupant of the stool.

Barimah Okofoni Okropa hails from the Asona Mintah clan and the stool is their bonafide property. The rightful chief, Barimah Okofoni Okropa II was installed in 2000 and has since been gazzetted. He is still alive and kicking, and has also not committed any offence that warrants his destoolment from the throne.

The Okyehene Amoatia Ofori-Panin Allegedly ordered for the enstoolment of Nana Ntiku II without Barimah Okofoni Okropa’s knowledge, according to sources. When Barimah Okropa got wind of the fact that, Nana Ntiku was about to be enstooled to replace him he notified his lawyers, who quickly sort court injunction against it but was flouted.

The said enstoolment, according to sources, took place on the 14th of December 2009, under the strong supervision of the Adontemhene of Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region. Speaking to the Accra Times on phone yesterday, the Registrar at the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, Nana Brako Hiakwa, confirmed the story and noted that the council was waiting for the defendants to file their defence. He said the Defendants have been given up to the end of this week to do so.

Further investigations on the matter reveal that both Barimah Okofoni Okropa II and Nana Ntiku II are from the same family but of different gates, who have been at loggerheads over the stool for almost two decades now. And when the dust settled in 2000, Barimah Okofoni was enstooled as the rightful chief.

According to their custom, until his death, no other person can succeed him. The latest event is however seen to be a disturbing issue. Currently, trouble is said to be looming at Asuom as a result of the chieftaincy problem.