House of Chiefs quashes destoolment charges against Apintohene

Accra, Dec. 10, GNA- The Judicial Committee of the Western Region House of Chiefs has by unanimous decision, quashed the decision of the some kingmakers of Awudua to destool their chief, Nana Kwabina Angu II. The Committee chaired by Nana Katakyere II also awarded two million cedis cost against the plaintiffs in favour of the defendant, since they were in the minority and therefore could not prefer charges against the chief who is also the Apintohene of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area. The plaintiffs were Nana Kofi Enyam, Nana Kobina Broon V and Nana Kwasi Akwaw II.

The Committee comprising Nana Kwamena Danso II and Nana Kojo Gyenin Ampim II said as required by customary law, the plaintiffs should have been in the majority. The ruling said Nana Akwaw was among the four smaller chiefs under the Gyasehene - Kotolyere Stool and therefore had no capacity to join the enstolment and destoolment of Apintohene.

The Committee also noted the position of Nana Broon as Kingmaker was doubtful and therefore had no capacity to join plaintiffs to prefer destoolment charges. The three- member panel was however satisfied about the Power of Attorney given by Nana Fosu Assiah II to Opanyin Kofi Anyam, his Abusuapanyin to represent him in the suit. The ruling said the Apinto Divisional Stool had six kingmakers comprising Mboase Nsuta (Tufohene) Kotokyeere (Gyasehene), and Anomabu, Ankasa Poponso and Tsinise constituting the (Kronti).

The Committee said both defendant and plaintiffs admitted that one of the kingmakers, Nana Oyetua Ampim of Mboa Nsuta (Fufuhene) was incapacitated with stroke and as such none of the two parties could win his support in the suit. In a Statement of Defence, which was accompanied by Notion on Notice and Affidavits in support, Nana Angu challenged the capacity of the plaintiffs to destool him. The Defendant stated categorically that plaintiffs lacked the capacity to initiate the action since majority of them were not kingmakers. Nana Angu therefore filed a motion in March 2002.