Court dismisses case against Kumasi mayor

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) - A High Court in Kumasi has dismissed a writ of contempt filed by Nana Kofi Boateng, chairman of the Kumasi Kejetia Traders Association (Mighty 18), against the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and its Development Control Officer.

The court presided over by Justice Baffoe Bonnie also awarded a ?500,000 cost against the plaintiff.

Nana Boateng had filed a writ of contempt against Maxwell Kofi Jumah, KMA Chief Executive and Andrew Asiamah, the Development Control Officer, for authorising the demolition of the structure the association was putting up at North Suntreso, a suburb of Kumasi, despite a circuit court injunction.

The writ prayed the court to impose a prison sentence on the two contemnors in addition to the payment of ?250m as compensation by the assembly for the illegal demolition of the structure.

The KMA defence team led by Osei Poku argued that the writ was served on the assembly two hours after the demolition exercise had taken place and prayed the court to dismissed the writ.

The court dismissed the case and awarded the ?500,000 cost against the plaintiff after listening to the arguments of Hansen Koda, the counsel for the plaintiffs.

The structure that was being developed into stores by the association was demolished by the KMA because it was being built on a major drain without any permit from the assembly.