Tribunal directs police to serve Nungua Chiefs properly

Tema, July 20, GNA -- The Tema Community Tribunal today directed the police to properly serve summons on 19 elders of the Nungua traditional area who failed to appear before it on Monday to answer why they should not be bonded to keep the peace in the area.

The tribunal, chaired by Capt. Philip Agbeyome (rtd), gave the order after only five out of 24 elders appeared to answer charges brought against them following shooting incidents during the illegal installation of new chiefs for Lashibi and Sakumono in May and June, this year.

ASP Michael Yirenkyi had told the tribunal that the elders were duly served with the summons through the Secretary of the Nungua Traditional Council and requested the tribunal to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of those absent..

Capt. Agbeyome however agreed with Mr Osafo Buabeng, counsel for the respondents that in criminal cases it is a matter of personal responsibility and as such the summons must be received personally. After the tribunal's ruling, ASP Yirenkyi stated that he would like to differ from the tribunal's decision since substituted service is allowed.

The elders who are to be served are Nii Borlabi Obroni, the Nungua Mankralo, Lawer Tsuru Gborbu Wulomo, Sam Prempeh Borlabi, Nii Whang, alias Paa Nii, Borketey Jejeti and E.Q. Anme.

Others are Samuel Bortei Doku, Guy Humphrey Naawu, Commodore Aryee, Nii Bortey Sanseman, Noah Afutu alias Pastor, Kaiser Bortey Kwei, Ayeaye Bortei and Nii Tsui Alabi. The rest are Fio Tse, Emmanuel Ayittey Ayi, Boye Kpowuluno, Stephen Akwetey and Teikwei Odesa.

Odae Kaiser, Abotsi Borlabi, Norman Bortei, Seese Bortei and Nii Whang Tawiah appeared in court and were granted one million cedis bail each.

The summons said the activities of the 24 respondents had raised tension in those areas and this could explode into violent clashes any time, because they acted against the wishes of the Nungua traditional authorities.

In their affidavit in opposition, the Nungua elders said they have already enstooled Nii Whang as chief of Lashibi under the stool name Nii Whang Oweni II and Nii Alabi Gbese II as chief of Sakumono without any opposition .

This, they said, was in response to the elevation of Nungua to a paramountcy which makes it necessary to enstool chiefs to constitute the new traditional council to be established.

The tribunal adjourned till Monday August nine, this year, to enable all the respondents to appear.