Adontenhene pleads for time to withdraw cases from court

Kumasi (Ashanti), 28th May '99 --

Nana Agyeman Nkwantabisa III, Adontenhene of Ashanti on Thursday agreed to withdraw cases he has filed against the Golden Stool and the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) from the courts, when he appeared before the council at the instance of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene.

He, however, asked to be given one month to complete the formalities for the withdrawal of the cases.

He said Mr Obeng Manu the counsel, who was handling one of the cases, had died and he would need to engage the services of another lawyer to deal with the process of withdrawal.

The other case, Nana Nkwantabisa said was also being handled by Mr Adumoah-Bossman, who is based in Accra and would, therefore, need time to also consult him for the necessary steps to be taken.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu asked why he had not been attending KTC meetings since he was enthroned.

Nana Nkwantabisa said he was barred from taking his place at KTC meetings and other functions at Manhyia by the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II about 23 years ago over a land case.

Nana Nkwantabisa said in addition to being barred, he received two letters from the late Asantehene to the effect that his stool lands at Aputuogya in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma district and Amampe in the Kwabre district have been vested in the Golden Stool.

He said when he received those letters he was surprised but since he did not have access to Manhyia to meet the late Asantehene to have the matter thrashed out peacefully, he wrote to the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware asking for clarification but he did not get a reply.

The Adontenhene said he then realised that if he did not act, he was going to lose his stool lands and so he instituted the court action against the Golden Stool and the KTC.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu assured the Adontenhene that he would have very fair and impartial hearing, when the cases come before him and should, therefore, get them withdrawn by the stipulated time to ensure peace and harmony.

GRi?/