Judicial C`ttee condemns youth action… In attempting to remove Offinsohene`s sandals
THE JUDICIAL Committee set up to investigate the alleged illicit relationship involving Nana Wiafe Akenten III, the Omanhene of the Offinso Traditional Area, has condemned the action of some youth who attempted to remove the sandals of the chief about three weeks ago.
The three-member committee, which comprises Nana Bi-Kusi Appiah, Chief of Manso Nkwanta, Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem, Chief of Tepa, and Nana Adu Gyamfi, Adontenhene of Kumasi, expressed disapproval over the action of the youth, and stated that “no one should take the law into his or her own hands.”
Holding a copy of Monday August 31, 2009 edition of The Chronicle, with the caption “Drama at Manhyia… youth attempt to remove scandals of Offinsohene,” Nana Kusi Appiah warned any person who intended to create a scene at the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, to desist from any such intentions, or face a severe penalty.
He urged counsels of both parties to advise their followers before hearing commenced last Friday, which directive was adhered to, as both counsels immediately talked to their various followers who thronged the premises of the Ashanti House of Chiefs, and admonished them that “they were not there to destool their chief.”
The chiefs also warned any reporter who concocted and fabricated stories to desist from it, and further urged the reporters to report “the truth or face the consequences.”
The aftermath of last Friday's hearing was very peaceful, after the various supporters were advised to refrain from any acts that could bring mayhem, making the task of the police much easier this time.
Mr. Robert Kingsley Yeboah, Managing Solicitor of Robert Kingsley and Associates, who is also the counsel for the petitioner, Nana Barimah Takyi Abeam, Chief of Ampabame, reiterated that the petition which was presented before the committee was not for destoolment.
Referring to paragraph four of the petition, they (counsel and the petitioner) were seeking a declaration in regards to the conduct of the respondent.
According to him, they wanted to know whether the conduct of the respondent amounted to the charge upon which destoolment proceedings could be brought.
He stated that there were numerous offenses under customary law pertaining to chieftaincy, but not all those offences can be a basis for the destoolment of a chief.
Lawyer Yeboah cited that it was a taboo for a particular chief to visit a stream on a particular day, but if a chief does so, “that is not a charge for destoolment.”
“It is therefore essential, which particular custom in the Ashanti kingdom, when breached, would amount to a destoolment charge,”' he asked.
Mr. Franklin Kwabena Asamoah, of Asamoah Legal Services, again reiterated that the woman in question, one Korkor, had sworn an affidavit that she had never had illicit relationship with Nana Wiafe, and that her daughter was Ama Penamang, and not Adwoa, who the petitioner claimed to be his sister, which relationship has been denied.
The committee adjourned hearing to Friday September 25, 2009.