The Lawyer for the Paramount Queen-mother of Akropong and 4th appellant Nana Afua Nketia Obuo and Odehye Kwasi Akuffo respectively has filed an appeal at the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs against ruling delivered on a petition by Abrewatia of Sakyeabea Royal Families by the judicial committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.
Thirty-Four (34) year old Odehye Kwadwo Kesse was on Sunday, May 3, 2020, sworn in and outdoors as the new Okuapehene with the stool name Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akufo II.
Oseedeayo Kwasi Akuffo II becomes the ninth Chief to ascend the Ofori Kuma Stool. He is the youngest paramount Chief in Ghana so far.
Continuity of traditional processes for enstoolment of new Okuapehene started Friday, May 1, 2020, amid tight security following the nullification of nomination and enstoolment processes of Odehye Kwasi Akuffo by the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs on Thursday, April 30, 2020.
In an appeal filed at the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs, Lawyer Kwaku Ansa Asare argued on the Committee’s finding that in nominating a candidate the Queen-mother alone cannot select a candidate from the Royal House without the involvement of the Abrewatia.
The Committee’s finding that the evidence of the Respondents fails to establish that the name of the 4th Respondent was given to the Asonahene by the Abrewatia, Lily Agyemang.
Further particulars of misdirection or errors in law will be provided upon the receipt of the Record of Appeal.
The grounds of the appeal are:
- The judgment is against the weight of the evidence.
- The Committee’s finding that nomination of a Royal to be enstooled as Okuapehene is the sole prerogative of the Abrewatiaof the Ruling House whose turn it is to select a candidate was erroneous.
- The finding that the 1st Appellant did not follow the custom in nominating the 4th Appellant as Okuapehene based on which his enstoolment was nullified is erroneous.
- The judgment is unsatisfactory and failed to resolve the issues raised both on the pleadings and on the evidence as well as in the Memorandum of Issues.
- Additional grounds of Appeal will be filed upon receipt of the Record of Appeal.
The Reliefs sought by the Appellants are:
- The Judgement together with cost be set aside and judgment entered in favor of the Appellants.
- A declaration that Odehye Kwasi Akuffo, the 4th Respondent/Appellant is the proper person to be installed, and an order that he be installed as the next Okuapehene under the Stool name of Oseadeeyo Nana Obuobi Atiemo II, having been validly nominated by Nana Dokua(deceased) who, at the time was the Queenmotherand the customary person to nominate.
- An order for cancellation, revocation, withdrawal, or nullification of the process of the purported nomination, election, enstoolment, and installation of the pretender to the Ofori Stool, Odehye Kwadwo Kesse Antwi, that took place at Akropong Akuapemon Friday, 1st May 2020, through Sunday 3rd May 2020.
- An order of injunction to restrain Lily Agyemang, the Petitioner/Respondent and any person or entity acting by her from taking any step(s) to seek recognition of applying for Odehye Kwadwo Kesse Antwi to be gazetted as Okuapehene and in respect of the said Odehye Kwadwo Kesse from making any representation or holding himself out as Okuapehene.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
