Chief arrested at arbitration

Kumasi (Asante Region) - A team of policemen on Wednesday raided an Arbitration Committee Meeting of the Kumasi Traditional Council and arrested a chief who was a key figure in the dispute being resolved. The chief, Nana Kwame Ofori, Aduanahene of Apromase, was arrested for allegedly being involved in a narcotic drug case.

The police stormed the place while he was giving evidence. The action of the police threw the packed council hall into confusion, forcing the chairman of the four-member committee, Nana Agyem Frimpong, to demand an explanation from the police. A Spokesman for the police said that they were acting on a signal from the Greater Accra Regional Police (CID) headquarters that a chief was wanted in connection with the alleged case.

The Spokesman said that although the signal was received last April, Nana Ofori had avoided arrest until they were informed of his presence at the Regional House of Chiefs. With that explanation, the chairman of the committee gave in, stating that ?if it?s a narcotic drug case, then there is nothing we can do.?

As nobody knew when the chief would be available the committee had no choice than adjourn hearing of the case sine die. Nana Ofori was then whisked away to the Ashanti Regional Police Headquarters to be transferred to Accra. A police source told the Ghanaian Times that ?once a signal for arrest is received, it doesn?t really matter how and where the wanted person is arrested.? He said their duty was to arrest the wanted person.