Nana Korankye is Berekuso chief — High Court
The High Court in Koforidua, presided over by Mr Justice Fred K. Awuah, has upheld an earlier declaration by the Judicial Committee of the Akuapem Traditional Council that Nana Oteng Korankye II is the legitimate chief of Berekuso.
Advertisement
The ruling followed a civil suit filed by some kingmakers of Berekuso for an order of certiorari to quash the ruling made by the Judicial Committee.
The plaintiffs in the suit were Gyasehene Opentu Kwadwo, Nana Dabehene Lasisi and Aberewatia Nyaam.
The kingmakers, in March this year, performed a ritual to destool Nana Korankye and installed a new chief, known in private life as Otto Bruce Vanderpuije, to act as regent and caretaker over Berekuso and its stool properties.
The Judicial Committee of the Akuapem Traditional Council later declared Nana Korankye’s destoolment as null and void and ordered the kingmakers to reinstate him as the chief of the area.
The committee indicated that Nana Korankye was the Berekusohene and Twafohene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, adding that while he was occupying the stool, no other person should be installed to occupy the same stool.
Citing Section 63(f) of the Chieftaincy Act 759 of 2008, which states that “a person who deliberately fails to follow the right procedures to destool a chief commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than two hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than three months”, the committee ordered the kingmakers to pay seven live sheep and 14 bottles of Schnapps.
The fines are to be used to perform customary pacification and purification of the Berekusohene and Okuapeman to clear the dust.
The committee also placed a restraining order on Otto Bruce Vanderpuije from posing, parading or holding himself out as the chief of Berekuso and or as a regent or caretaker of Berekuso and its stool poperties.
In its ruling, the court said the kingmakers could appeal against the decision and orders made by the Judicial Committee, but could not pray the court for an order of certiorari to quash the orders.
“It is my humble view that the instant application could succeed only to the extent of the orders made by the Judicial Committee relating to the fine imposed in the form of seven life sheep and 14 Schnapps,” the judge said, adding, “the court is of the view that the application cannot be allowed for the remainder of the complaints which at best could be said to be matters of appeal.”