Apedwahene is distooled

The Apedwahene, Osaberima Obenakwa Kwarifah ll, has been distooled by the kingmakers of Apedwa following the performance of the necessary customary rites at Apedwa and Kibi at the weekend.

As demanded by custom, the kingmakers slaughtered two sheep at Apedwa and two at Kibi, the paramount seat of the Kyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, to signify the distoolment.

Briefing the GNA, Baffour Boasiako Okwae Ohemeng Mensah ll, the Agonahene of Apedwa who led the distoolment process, alleged that Osaberima Obenakwa Kwarifah had embezzled huge sums of

He accused him of conniving with other chiefs to sell over 15,000 acres of land belonging to Okyeman at Panpanso near Adoagyiri-Nsawam to some estate developers without the knowledge of Okyeman.

He said the former chief entered into an agreement for the establishment of a poultry farm by an Indian at Apedwa without the knowledge of other chiefs, and to implement his plan, he had seized a large tract of family land.

Baffour Boasiako Okwae Ohemeng Mensah said the former chief also engaged in a lot of customary practices which went against the oath he swore to the people of Apedwa.

He said all the charges against the former Apedwahene were brought before a traditional court as required by the tradition of the chiefs and people of Akyem Abuakwa and the court found Osabarima Kwarifah guilty, hence his distoolment.

Reacting to the allegations made against him in an interview with GNA, Osaberima Obenakwa Kwarifah denied all the allegations levelled against him and described his distoolment as illegal.

He said his accusers should have taken the issue to the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs for adjudication because he was properly enstooled by the chiefs and people of Apedwa and duly registered at the Regional House of Chiefs.