Gyasewa Royal Family demands response to petition on stolen Black Stool

Correspondence from the Eastern Region

The Gyasewa Royal Family in the Anum Traditional Area in the Eastern Region is calling on the Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to respond to petition sent to the office calling for urgent intervention in an ongoing criminal case on alleged stolen Black Stool and royal regalia before the Koforidua Circuit Court B amid growing tension in the community.

The petition, dated 19th January 2026 and signed by Nana Odame Osafo II, Gyasewahene of the Anum Traditional Area, relates to Suit No. ER/KF/CC/D1/41/2024 – The Republic v. Nana Owusu Ntow and Seven (7) Others, a case that has been pending for nearly two years.

According to the petitioner, the trial has progressed significantly, with the court having already ruled that a prima facie case exists. Proceedings are currently at the defence stage, with the accused persons calling their witnesses.

However, the Gyasewa Division, expressed deep concern over public claim allegedly made by some of the accused persons, including Nana Owusu Ntow and Samuel Kwasi Annor suggesting that the accused have held meetings with the Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney-General in Accra, and that an understanding has been reached for the discontinuance of the case.

Truly, the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General called for the docket to be sent to Accra,stalling the case.

The petition notes that claims of an impending nolle prosequi have created anxiety, apprehension, and heightened tension within the Anum community, raising fears of a possible disturbance of peace.

“The mere circulation of such claims has the potential to undermine public confidence in the justice system and disturb the fragile peace within the Anum Traditional Area,” the petition stated.

The traditional leaders emphasized that the Gyasewa Division and the Buruku Royal Family of Anum, Akroso, and Teacher Mante approached the courts in good faith, in pursuit of justice and peaceful dispute resolution. They warned that any perceived extrajudicial influence or behind-the-scenes interference in an active criminal trial could have serious consequences for community stability.

They therefore urged the Attorney-General’s Department to ensure that any action taken in relation to the case is strictly guided by law, due process, and transparency, stressing that justice openly administered remains the surest path to sustainable peace.

The petition was copied to key state authorities, including President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister for the Interior, the Eastern Regional Minister, the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, the Inspector-General of Police, and the District Chief Executive of the Asuogyaman District Assembly.

The traditional leaders concluded by expressing confidence in the Attorney-General’s commitment to the rule of law and appealed for urgent attention to the matter in order to maintain peace and public trust in the justice system.

The incident occured in 2023 when a military and police officers, alongside five others allegedly broke into the Petitioner's room stealing the Black Stool, other royal regalia, and two kente cloths valued at GHC 5,800.

Nana Odame Osafo III, complainant in the case said he had been entrusted with the safekeeping of these items following his enstoolment as the Gyasewahene of the Anum Traditional Area.

A witness who saw the theft in progress alerted the complainant, who then reported the crime to the police leading to the arrest of the accused persons - Nana Owusu Ntow, 50, a businessman; Samuel Kwasi Annor, 58, a driver; Ernest Yaw Acheampong Attuah, 47, a carpenter; Yaw Odame, 52, a farmer; Nana Okyoampem Adu III, 26, a police officer; Daniel Ayesu Kumi, 70, a businessman; and WO1 Michael Opare-Appiah, 48, a military officer.

They were put before the Koforidua Circuit Court "B" and charged with unlawful entry and stealing.

Meanwhile, the Gyasewaa Royal Family is also calling on the Medical and Dental Council to sanction one Bismark Adu Fosu who presented himself as a medical Doctor to sign medical letter declaring one of the accused person as unwell to stand trial.

During enquiry on the status of Bismark Adu Fosu, the Medical and Dental Council noted that," Bismark Adu Fosu is not a Medical Doctor and is not registered and Licenced by Council in any such capacity".

The letter however stated that "Bismark Adu Fosu is, however, registered with Council as a Physician Assistant following his completion of a BSc. Physician Assistantship programme from the College of Health & Well-Being, Kintampo in June, 2022 and subsequent provisional registration on 2nd August, 2023 after passing Council's licencial Examination".