The Supreme Court, presided by her Ladyship Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson has quashed the ruling of the High Court, Sunyani that sought to restrict Barima Kumi Acheaw III from performing his customary duties as Chief of Abesim.

The Court held that the case that was brought before the High Court, Sunyani earlier was a matter relating to and affecting Chieftaincy and so the High Court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter and consequently quashed the ruling of the High Court, Sunyani.

This means that Barima Kumi Acheaw III continues to be the Chief of Abesim and Kyidomhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area as there is no legal restriction anymore preventing him performing his customary duties.

Background

In December 2023, Barima Kumi Acheaw III was installed as the Chief of Abesim following the death of his uncle, Barima Kumi Acheaw II and went on to swear the oath of allegiance to Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, consequently making him the Kyidomhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area since Abesim is a Divisional Council under the Dormaa Paramountcy.

Shortly after his installation, some members of the Dominase Royal Family of Abesim who felt aggrieved filed a certiorari at the High Court, Sunyani to quash the installation of Barima Kumi Acheaw III as Abesimhene and Kyidomhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area respectively.

The High Court, Sunyani on 26th March 2025 delivered its ruling on the matter and among other decrees, declared that the selection and nomination of Barima Kumi Acheaw III as Chief-Elect of Abesim during the meeting of the Dormaa Traditional Council on 29th December 2025 as null and void, and of no effect.

Barima Kumi Acheaw III, following the court’s ruling consequently filed a motion invoking the supervisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for an order of certiorari to quash the ruling of the High Court, Sunyani as the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter since it was a case relating to or affecting chieftaincy.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 18th June 2025 accordingly granted the applicant’s motion and consequently quashed the ruling of the High Court, Sunyani for hearing a matter relating to or affecting chieftaincy when the court had no such jurisdiction.