Astute lawyer and former Director of Ghana School of Law, Mr Kwaku Ansa-Asare who is the lawyer for the petitioners in the Okuapeman chieftaincy dispute has stated that per the ruling of the Koforidua high court there’s no Okuapehene.

According to him, the man parading himself as Okuapehene has not purged himself of contempt of court after he paid his fine and is appealing the case in the supreme court.

The Ghana Police Service filed a motion praying the Akuapem Mampong District court for an order to stop Odehye Kwasi Akuffo from parading himself as a royal at a funeral creating tension in Akropong.

The motion was for the execution of bond for keeping the peace under section 22 of the criminal and other offences (Procedure) Act 1969, Act 30.

And the Police wanted to secure an order from the court to direct the respondent -Odehye Kwasi Akuffo to desist from parading himself as Okuapehene when he is not Okuapehene de facto or de facto Chief.

Lawyer Ansah Asare reminded the court that, his client has filed prohibition order at the Koforidua High Court to stop hearing of the motion at the district court which has been served through the Registrar.

He argued that there is no provision in the constitution of Ghana that prohibits a royal from dressing as such, therefore, accusation that Odehye Kwasi Akuffo dressed and paraded as Okuapehene has no merit since he only dressed like a royal.

Nonetheless, he said the District Court has no jurisdiction on the matter.

He described the motion for the execution of bond against Odehye Kwasi Akuffo as a ploy to disturb the peace of Akropong.

The Presiding Judge, Her Worship Felicia Anan-Antwi ruled that, under the circumstance of the prohibition order, the court stays the motion for execution of bond.

The court therefore adjourned the matter to October 17, 2023, pending the determination by the high court.

Lawyer Ansa-Asare said the body of eminent Chiefs has asked parties in the Okuapeman Chieftancy dispute to go back and follow the ruling of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and that the Queen Mother of Okuapeman and the Asonahene are part of those who are clothed with authority in selecting the next Okuapehene, therefore, the installation process of who becomes the Okupehene must be started all over again. This has not been done.

He said this makes the man who carries himself as Okuapehene Nana Kwesi Akuffo III, so-called installation null and void.

Lawyer Ansah Asare said last year the ‘alleged Okuapehene’ of Akropong-Akuapem, Odehye Kwadwo Kese together with one Abrewatia Lilly Agyemang were convicted of contempt by a Koforidua High Court in the Eastern Region and they have not overturned it and its still at the supreme Court.

The court presided over by Justice Doris Dabanka-Bekoe sentenced them to a fine of GH¢10,000 for which they risked spending 14 days in prison if they fail to pay the fine within seven days of the court’s judgment, a fine they have accepted and paid.

That ruling came at the back of a suit filed by Nana Afua Nketiaa Obuo II, Okuapehemea, and Nana Kwesi Omenako II, Asonahene of Akuapem against the contemnors for blatantly ignoring the judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs.

The Judicial Committee in a ruling on April 30, 2020, nullified the nomination, selection, and enstoolment of Odehye Kwasi Akuffo as Okuapehene, on grounds that the processes leading to his installation were not carried out in accordance with custom, hence were null and void.

Subsequently, the committee directed the Queenmother of the Akuapem Traditional Area, bestowed with the customary responsibility, to nominate a candidate to mount the Ofori Kuma Stool as Okuapehene to recommence the process of finding and installing a new Okuapehene.

She was to reconduct the nomination and selection process of a new Okuapehene in consultation with the elders of the Sajyiabea family, Asonahene of Akuapem, on the grounds that, “the process of nomination and selection is a matter purely for the Adehye of the Asona Clan, and no other person or entity.”

Lily Agyemang on May 1, 2020, in blatant disregard of the orders of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs Judicial Committee, ignored the consequential order of the regional house of Chiefs nominated and selected Odehye Kwadwo Kesse for enstoolment as Okuapehene.

The High Court after hearing the matter determined that Odehye Kwadwo Kesse and Abrewatia Lilly Agyemang were guilty of contempt of court and hence convicted them to a fine of GHc10,000 each, or in default go to jail for 14 days.

As contemnors, they followed the court order and paid their fine. Until they challenge their conviction in court, they cannot do anything otherwise.