Ruling on Okwahuman chieftaincy dispute adjourned

Koforidua, May 12, GNA - The Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, has adjourned its judgment in the chieftaincy dispute between the Okwahuhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng II and the Obohene, Nana Yeboah Afari Oboagyan II, to June 1.

The three-member panel, chaired by the Konor of Yilo Krobo, Nene Narh Dawutey Ologo VI, which was to have given its final ruling on the case on Thursday, decided to adjourn following a motion by the Counsel of the Obohene, Mr Agyei Manu, asking the House to abide by a Court of Appeal ruling that the case should be heard on its merit. Mr Manu said the ruling of the Court meant that the Committee should re-open hearing of the case.

Challenging the submission, Counsel for the Okwahuhene, Mr Asante Ansong, asked the committee to disregard the motion, explaining that what the Court directed was that the case should be brought back to the Committee of the House for hearing to continue, since the Obohene failed to respond to its summons and instead, went to file a certiorari at a High Court to restrain the House from hearing the case brought against him.

After consultation, the Committee decided to adjourn to enable the panel to study the Court of Appeal's ruling. The case started some eight years ago when the Okwahuhene, sought a ruling of the House in respect of Obohene's decision to secede from the Kwahu Traditional Area to form a new paramountcy to be called "Aduanaman".

Before the Judicial Committee could hear the case, the Obohene obtained a certiorari from a Koforidua High Court to prevent the hearing but the House and Okwahuhene appealed against the ruling, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal.

The court of Appeal directed the Obohene to enter appearance before the Committee.

However, Nana Oboagyan rather again went to the Supreme Court for a ruling, which also upheld the position of the Court of Appeal that the House should hear the case.