Beware of imposter chiefs – says chief.
Nana Samgba Gyafla II swore the oath of Allegiance to Asanteman last week
Lawyers representing Nana Samgba Gyafla II, the recently enstooled Sampahene in the Bono Region, have formally contested the submission of a chieftaincy declaration form to the National House of Chiefs by an individual purporting to be the rightful chief. In a letter addressed to the National House of Chiefs, legal representatives from Adom Legal Consult asserted that any such application seeking validation for a different individual as Sampahene should be deemed fraudulent.
According to the lawyers, Nana Gyafla II, a sitting Appeal Court judge, has fulfilled the customary obligation of swearing an oath of allegiance to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a prerequisite for validating his position as the Paramount Chief of Sampa. The Paramount stool of Sampa, being under the Asanteman Council, mandates the paramount chief to swear allegiance to the Asantehene.
The letter stated, “Our client informs us that it is alleged that somebody apart from him has submitted chieftaincy declaration forms to the National House of Chiefs seeking to enter his name in the National Register of Chiefs without any authorization from the Sampa Traditional Council.”
Accompanying the letter was a search result from the National House of Chiefs, revealing that a declaration form nominating one Nana Sammor-Duah II as the Paramount Chief of Sampa was submitted on December 19, 2023, by Nana Kwasi Sei. However, the form was deemed invalid and returned to the Bono Regional House of Chiefs.
The lawyers emphasized that neither the Registrar nor the Acting President of the Sampa Traditional Council has signed or submitted any chieftaincy declaration form, urging the National House of Chiefs to disregard any form submitted by an imposter.
The ongoing chieftaincy dispute in Sampa has led to heightened tensions, with a recent clash resulting in one fatality and several injuries. The search for a new Sampahene, following the death of the previous chief, has further complicated the situation, leading to factional conflicts and legal battles.
The lawyers’ appeal to the National House of Chiefs highlights the need for a thorough investigation into the legitimacy of chieftaincy declarations to prevent the perpetuation of fraudulent claims and to maintain stability within the Sampa Traditional Area.
