Gomoa Ajumako Omanhene convicted for contempt

Cape Coast, Aug. 27, GNA - The Cape Coast High Court presided over by Mr Justice Tom Bentil, has convicted the Omanhene of Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, Nana Okatakyi Nyanfo Krampah X for contempt. The Court imposed a fine of two million cedis on him or to serve three months' imprisonment in default.

Nana Krampah has since paid the fine and is a free man. This corrects our earlier story, which created the impression that the Nana Krampah was sent to prison without an option of a fine.

The court also sentenced S. E Arthur, Registrar of the Traditional Council, to two million cedis fine or six months' imprisonment with hard labour in default, for the same offence.

Their conviction followed an Ex-Parte motion filed against them by Nana Kweku Otabil IX, Chief of Gomoa Abrekum and Krontihene of the Area.

The court ordered them to pay a cost of 500,000 cedis each as compensation to Nana Otabil.

The facts of the case were that on July 23 2000, the Cape Coast High Court made an order of prohibition against the convicts restraining them from giving judgement in a case pending before the Judicial Committee of the Traditional Council.

Notwithstanding, on 28 July 2000, the Committee went ahead and gave judgement in the case and the Omanhene went ahead to install one Mr Kojo Dwomo, as Odikro of Gomoa Abrekum under the stool name of Nana Kweku Otabil X on August 1 2000.

They also took steps to have the Central Regional House of Chiefs to gazette Nana Otabil X.

The court freed the Judicial Committee members because they acted upon the instructions of the Omanhene.

Lawyer Burton Oduro represented Nana Kwaku Otabil IX, while Mr Ebow Dawson both of Cape Coast also represented Nana Krampah and Arthur. 27 Aug. 03