Edina Manhen jailed three months for contempt

The Omanhen of Edina, Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, was on Monday, cited for contempt for the fifth time and sentenced to three months imprisonment by a Circuit Court in Cape Coast.

The court presided over by Mr. Justice James Benson in addition, imposed a fine of GH¢ 3,000 against him and awarded cost of GH¢ 2,500 in favour of the applicant, Supi George Asmah.

Nana Conduah had been restrained by a Cape Coast High Court against performing the duties of a chief until his status as Omanhen has been fully and finally determined by the appropriate forum.

This follows a petition filed against him in 1998 by the Kingmaker of Edina led by Supi George Asmah, at the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs, seeking a declaration that the purported installation of Nana Conduah was contrary to the customary practice of the Edina State and therefore null and void.

They also sought an order for the destoolment of the respondent by the Regional House of Chiefs and subsequently applied for and obtained an interim injunction order from a Cape Coast high court.

However, Nana Conduah was said to have flouted that order severally resulting in four contempt cases since 2002 of which he was sometimes fined or made to sign an undertaking that he will not exercise the function of a chief until the case was determined.

The court said in 2011 he received a donation from a Telecommunication Company towards the “Edina Bakatue” Festival, for which he had been sentenced on Monday.

Justice Benson in his sentence indicated that Nana Conduah’s action indicates that he was bent on flouting the court’s orders and had not shown any sign of remorse.

“The conduct of the applicant amounts to contumacious, contempt, calculated to impugn the integrity of the court and the legal system of this country and the court cannot tolerate such a behaviour”, Justice Benson declared.**