Chief goes blind after 28-day jail term

A subchief of Mankpan Traditional Area in the Gonjaland has suffered deteriorating eye problems after he served 28 days prison sentence last year for contempt of court.

Suruwura Alhaji S. S Gbankulso was jailed on 31st July, 2017 after he was found guilty of contempt charges in a matter he had sent to the court accusing Buipewura Jinapor II of unlawful seizure of his properties.

“Since that incident took place and I was thrown into jail for 28 days, I have since not had my body. I’ve been sick especially what disturbs me most is my eye sight; I can’t see clearly. Those days I could read without using lens but this No! I can’t read.

“General body pains, as if I’m weak, as if I have carried a heavy load; because of lying down. An elderly fellow like myself, getting to my 70s and you throw me into jail because of what I used my own money, because of what I’m doing to take care of my children. I have not gone to steal, I have not caused murder, I have not beaten anybody,” Surwura Gbankulso lamented.

Alhaji Gbankulso dragged Buipewura before a commercial court in Tamale demanding the release of his confiscated assets. His properties; an uncompleted storey building, row of metal stores, a stretch of land on which he operates a washing bay- were seized when Buipewura Jinapor ostracized his entire family from the Buipe town for alleged gross misconduct.

The case was still being heard when the plaintiff, Alhaji Gbankulso allegedly permitted a businessman into the disputed land to operate the seized washing bay. Buipewura, the respondent then filed a contempt suit and the plaintiff was found guilty by different judge in another court.

It is however not clear if the judge issued an injunction on the land. Alhaji Gbankulso told Starr News there was no injunction and that the whole process went too quick.

According to him, his blood level shot up in his first days in custody and his health continue to deteriorate even after he was taken into different gaol room.

Alhaji Gbankulso is now staying at a village few kilometres from Buipe, the Central Gonja district capital, where his properties are locked up by the Chief after he banished him.