Chief on a charge of manslaughter to re-appear on April 2

Nkawie (Ash), March 3, GNA - The Atwima district court trying Nana Kusi Amankwaa-Marfo, chief of Nkawie-Panin for manslaughter has adjourned the case to April 2.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court also lifted a previous order it placed on the chief barring him from entering the town and returned his passport, which he was ordered to deposit with the Nkawie police to him.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Ben Antwi told the court that Opanin Manu, now deceased, lived in the Nkawie-Panin chief's palace for more than 30 years serving the previous chiefs.

He said the Queen Mother of Nkawie-Panin, sometime last year gave Opanin Manu three months to quit the palace.

Chief Inspector Antwi said at about 6.30 pm on August 23 last year, Nana Amankwaa-Marfo decided to force Opanin Manu out of the palace and therefore assaulted him even though the time given him to quit the house was not due.

He said Opanin Manu became weak as a result of the assault and therefore called for help and some good Samaritans sent him to the Nkawie police station where he lodged a complaint.

The prosecutor said the police then issued him with a medical form to go to the Government Hospital at Nkawie for treatment where he was admitted but died the following day.

Chief Inspector Antwi said the police in the meantime had sent the docket on the case to the Attorney General's Department for advice.