Ho, Oct. 22, GNA - A Ho High Court Judge, Mr Justice Richard Apaloo, with the consent of Nana Aburam Akpandja IV, Buemhene on Wednesday, directed chiefs who lost a destoolment case against the Buemhene on July 19 last year to negotiate with their Overlord to mitigate the two million cedis costs awarded against each of them by the Court. Mr Justice Apaloo, who gave the directive in an ex-parte motion filed by Nana Akpandja against the respondents for failing to pay the costs, asked the parties to furnish the Court with the outcome of the settlement on November 25.
"One day in prison would strip you of your titles. I want to be very flexible with you as honourable chiefs," Mr Justice Apaloo told the chiefs.
He said Nana Akpandja has been "very magnanimous" and added ''two million cedis against one Chief is not too much for losing a battle". "Enter into negotiations with him to determine whether to forgive or not, it's another way of reconciliation," Mr Justice Apaloo said. When Justice Apaloo asked Nana Akpandja whether he would give them a hearing without malice he replied in the affirmative.
Earlier, a spokesman for the respondents Nana Siaw V, Abontendomhene of Buem, prayed the Court to reduce the two million cedis costs each and to extend the time for payment.
He said that it would be difficult for the chiefs to pay the amount because it is very difficult for them to even bear their cost of transport to attend court.
Nana Siaw said the death of their spokesman, Dr H.K. Takyi, who was organising for the payment of the costs also accounted for the delay to comply with the court's order.
