Osu Mantse determined by Supreme Court

Accra, June 19, GNA - An Accra High Court, presided over by Mr K.A. Ofori-Atta has ruled that the issue of who is the incumbent Osu Mantse has been determined by the Court of Appeal and confirmed by the Supreme Court.

It has therefore ruled that Nii Ako Nortei IV is stopped from re-litigating the issue and struck out a suit he filed against the Administrator of Stool Lands, Lands Commission Secretariat and Mr David Nortey Ashong as frivolous and vexatious.

Nii Ako Nortei IV on July 5, 2005 caused a writ to be issued against the defendants claiming relief including a declaration that in accordance with the Administration of Lands Act, it was "unlawful and illegal" for the Administrator of Stool Lands and Lands Commission Secretariat to pay royalties due to the Osu Stool to Mr. David Nortey Ashong because he was not the incumbent Osu Mantse. Nii Ako Nortei IV was also seeking an order to stop Administrator of Stool Lands and Lands Commission Secretariat "from making any unlawful and illegal payment of royalties due to the Osu Stool to Mr David Nortey Ashong.

It also sought a perpetual injunction restraining Mr David Nortey Ashong from making any claim in respect of royalties due to the Osu Stool or purporting to receive any such claim or to do anything unlawful and/or to deprive the Osu Stool of any benefit or royalties due to the stool.

However, Mr Ofori-Atta ruled that the issue of the incumbent Osu Mantse had been determiedn in a suit filed by Nii Ako Nortei, Mankralo of Osu against Unilever.

"I hold that the plaintiff (Nii Ako Nortei IV) is (estopped) from re-litigating the issue. Accordingly, the suit will be and is hereby struck out as frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of process."