General News of Friday, 30 November 2012
Source: Joy Online
The Supreme Court has unanimously overturned an earlier ruling by an Accra High Court presided over by Mr. Adjei Willson that forbade Nii Okaija III from declaring himself as Gbese Mantse, a local chief.
The decision ended a long legal battle between Nii Okaija III and Nii Ayi Bonte II over who is the legitimate Gbese Mantse and Adonten of the Ga State.
Authoring the majority opinion, Justice Atuguba noted that during the High Court proceedings, “at all events the trial Judge ignored the rules of natural justice in summarily granting the plaintiff’s reliefs as per his writ of summons without any adjudication thereon whatsoever.”
Ayikoi Otoo, the counsel for Nii Okaija III, explained to Citi FM that the High Court has no jurisdiction to grant or remove chieftaincy.
“My client Nii Okaija III was enstooled the Gbese Mantse before Tommy Okine, allegedly based upon the judgment of the court, also had himself enstooled. Nii Okaija III has been Gbese Mantse and member of the Ga Traditional Council all this while,” he added.
Other Supreme Court Judges who sat on the case are S.O.A. Adinyira (Mrs), F. Baffoe-Bonnie, N.S. Gbadegbe and V. Akoto-Bamfo (Mrs).