The complainant in the case challenging the legitimacy of the Paramount Chief of Akwamu has asked Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, and Omanhene of Akyem Bosome Okotwasuo Kantamanto Owarae Agyekum to recuse themselves from the panel hearing the Akwamu Chieftancy case.
Abrewatia Love Adwo Som, the complainant petitioned the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, that the two Paramount Chiefs are not qualified to chair and be members of the panel hearing the case because Okyenhene had been spotted in a picture taken at a home-coming festival organized by the disputed chief, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III.
The plaintiff had filed the suit at the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs challenging the installation of Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III known in private life as Kwabena Owiredu as Akwamuhene, and the case has been pending over four years after the enstoolment.
A Koforidua High Court quashed an earlier adjudicating panel – comprising Daasebre Oti Boateng, Paramount Chief of New Juaben; Okotwasuo Kantamanto Oworae Agyekum III, Paramount Chief of Akyem Bosome and Nana Osei Nyarko III, Paramount Chief of Anum Boso – on July 9, 2013, following an application by the complainant.
The Committee subsequently composed a new panel made of three Paramount Chiefs including Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin (presiding) Nene Sakite of Odumase Krobo and Okotwasuo Kantamanto Oworae Agyekum III.
However, Abrewatia Love Adwo Som says the Okyenhene and Okotwasuo are unqualified to sit on the matter because, Okyenhene honoured an invitation by the disputed chief as a guest to participate in the Akwamu Home-Coming festival on November 10, 2012, and Okotwasuo was part of the Oti Boateng panel that was hearing the case.
She claimed the Okyenhene compromised his position on the case by honouring the invitation at a time the status of the Akwamuhene was and is in serious contention.
The petition also indicated that Okotwasuo Kantamanto Oworae Agyekum III, a member of the three-member panel which sat on the matter earlier and whose decision was quashed by the High Court, should also recuse himself from sitting on the case.
Meanwhile, the Yaa Ansah Royals have expressed frustration over the undue delay by the two to take a decision to recuse themselves for the case to be heard.
They questioned the interest of the Okyenhene and the Akyem Bosome Omanhene in the Akwamu chieftaincy dispute which has also stalled development in the area.
“What will they lose if they recuse themselves and make way for a more decent and transparent panel to hear all this important Akwamu Chieftaincy case,” the Yaa Ansah Royals asked.
