Nene Keteku's enstoolment declared null and void

Ho (Volta Region) 15 March ?99 - A three-man Judicial Committee of the Asogli traditional council has declared as null and void the enstoolment of Nene Nuer Keteku the third, as paramount chief of Agotime traditional area.

The committee has accordingly ordered him to hand over all stool properties, including the black stool, to the stool father. These are contained in the report of the committee that investigated the circumstances leading to the enstoolment of Nene Keteku the third. It was presided over by Togbe Osei Tutu, the sixth, paramount chief of Matse traditional area.

The committee after taking evidence from witnesses, said in accordance with custom and tradition in the Agotime traditional area, "a regent cannot be a chief and cannot be enstooled while the chief was alive."

In 1945 when Nene Nuer Keteku the second, then paramount chief, became sick Mr Senyo Akuffo Akpani, now Nene Nuer Keteku the third, was appointed regent. He later declared himself paramount chief when Nuer Keteku the second was still alive. According to the report, the case was called 18 times but on all occassions Nene Nuer Keteku the third failed to honour hearing notices served on him with the excuse that he was not feeling well.

The committee, which included Togbe Dzidonu the second, paramount chief of Dzadzefe traditional area, and Togbe Kwaku Ayim the second, paramount chief of Takla traditional area, awarded 30,000 cedis cost against Nene Keteku the third.

Mr Moses Gamli, head of Bedzo-Kpami royal family and a kingmaker of Agotime-Afegame, led the plaintiffs with Mr Senyo Akoffo Akpami alias Nene Nuer Keteku the third of Agotime-Kpetoe as defendant.