The Stool Father (Setse) of Sra Langmasi in the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area, Dawutey Noah Tetteh, has called on the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to recuse himself from the Supreme Court proceedings involving the Yilo Krobo Paramount Chieftaincy dispute, alleging that his continued involvement could undermine public confidence in the judicial process.

Addressing a press conference on behalf of the Sra Langmasi Royals at Somanya in the Eastern Region on Sunday, July 12, 2026, Dawutey claimed that supporters of the Yilo Krobo Paramount Chief, were celebrating because they believed the Chief Justice would influence the outcome of the appeal in the chief's favour.

"We are pleading with the Chief Justice to remove himself from this traditional issue so that peace will prevail," he said.

The appeal stems from a contempt case in which Oklepeme Nuer Anorbah Sasraku II was sentenced to four days' imprisonment by the Koforidua High Court on May 12, 2025. However, the custodial sentence was suspended after the Supreme Court granted a stay of execution pending the determination of an appeal.

Dawutey questioned why the prison sentence had not been served, insisting that the legal process should be allowed to take its full course.

"Our expectation was that once he had been sentenced, he would serve the prison term. We later saw him outside, and we have continued to follow the case through our lawyers," he stated.

He alleged that rumours circulating among supporters of the Paramount Chief suggested the appeal, which ruling is expected to be delivered on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, had already been decided in their favour because of the Chief Justice's alleged involvement.

According to him, although he had no evidence to substantiate the claims, the rumours were sufficient to warrant the Chief Justice stepping aside in order to preserve public confidence in the judicial process.

"If the ruling goes in his favour after all these rumours, people will believe that the rumours were true, and that will mean justice has failed," he said.

Dawutey maintained that the Sra Langmasi Royals have consistently consulted their legal representatives over developments in the case and expressed concern about reports that the appeal was expected to be determined by the Supreme Court.

He also reiterated the group's position that Oklepeme Nuer Anorbaa Sasraku Nene is not the rightful occupant of the Yilo Krobo Paramount Stool, insisting that justice must prevail in the interest of peace.

"We are pleading with Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie not to involve himself in this case. We want him to recuse himself so that the rightful justice will prevail," he said.

Background

The call comes days after the Supreme Court fixed a date to deliver its ruling on an appeal arising from the contempt conviction of Oklepeme Nuer Anorbah Sasraku II.

The Paramount Chief was sentenced to four days' imprisonment by the Koforidua High Court after being found guilty of contempt in connection with the long-running Yilo Krobo chieftaincy dispute. The sentence, however, was put on hold after the Supreme Court granted a stay of execution pending the hearing of his appeal.

The case arises from a protracted chieftaincy dispute in the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area over the legitimacy of the installation and recognition of Paramount Chief Nene Oklepeme Nuer Anorbah Sasraku II. During the proceedings, the Koforidua High Court found the chief guilty of contempt after he repeatedly failed to honour court summons and sentenced him to four days' imprisonment, in addition to a six-month bond to be of good behaviour.

The sentence later sparked controversy after the Ghana Prisons Service disclosed that the chief was not admitted to prison because he arrived in an ill condition without the required medical clearance. The incident drew public attention and has since culminated in an appeal against the contempt conviction and jail sentence.

The contempt conviction has further heightened tensions among rival factions in the protracted chieftaincy dispute, with both sides closely monitoring the outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Sra Langmasi Royals are urging the Chief Justice to recuse himself, arguing that doing so would help maintain public confidence in the administration of justice.