Oyokohene Files Complaint Against Oti Boateng

THE OYOKOHENE, Nana Kodua Kesse II, has filed a prerogative writ of mandamus at the Koforidua high court to compel the president of the New Juaben Traditional Council, Daasebre Oti Boateng, to invite him to council meetings.

In a statement of claim filed on his behalf by Mr I. Okyere-Darko of Buako Apem Chambers, the Oyokohene pointed out that though he is a member of the New Juaben Traditional Council, the president has persistently refused to invite him to the council's meetings.

The prerogative writ of mandamus was filed at the Koforidua High court on July 28, this year, and is yet to be heard.

On May 23, 1996, the New Juaben Traditional Council suspended the Oyokohene, who doubles as the Adontenhene of New Juaben, from attending traditional meetings.

The plaintiff filed a writ at the Koforidua high court to seek redress, after several efforts made by distinguished personalities to settle the matter amicably had failed.

Nana Kodua Kese said he took the advice of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, that all chieftaincy disputes be settled out of court but for another three years (from 1998-2001) the omanhene of the New Juaben traditional area never allowed settlement to take place.

Instead, the New Juaben Traditional Council, on June 6, 2001, wrote to Nana Kofi Adjei, who is the Krontihene at Oyoko, and him the authority to perform all traditional duties of Oyoko.

The Oyokohene again applied to the Koforidua high court for an order of certiorari to quash the decision of the council, but again some prominent lawyers, politicians and businessmen pleaded with him to allow settlement out of court, which he consented.

The supervising high court judge, Justice K. A. Acquaye, allowed settlement out of court. Surprisingly there was another dramatic turn of events as Daasebre Oti Boateng demanded that Kodua Kese apologised to the council for taking it to court after a report on amicable settlement was signed by the arbitrators.

The matter was referred back to the court and the applicant was duly heard and the case determined on July 22 last year in his favour without making any order as to cost to promote reconciliation.

The council later filed a motion for stay of execution pending an appeal but lost with a cost of ?500,000 against it.

Unfortunately, the council, which is presided by Daasebre Oti Boateng, has refused to comply with the high court ruling of July 22 last year by not inviting the plaintiff to council meetings, Chronicle learnt.