From King Amoah, Our Bureau Chief Correspondent Reports
The principles that the law is no respecter of persons has been defined in the Bono Region as the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu II has faced a combined GH¢75,000 fine from the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
The conviction follows a long standing allegations of his persistent interference in the chieftaincy succession and installation processes of the Nsoatre Traditional Area.
A Pattern of Alleged Interference:For years the Nsoatre Traditional Area has been mired in a prolonged chieftaincy dispute that has hindered the installation of a substantive chief.
Sources close to the Nsoatre Traditional Council pointed to Dormaahene in his capacity as the President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs and the Sumahene as the primary architects behind these instabilities.
Insiders alleged that since Osagyefo Agyeman Badu II assumed leadership the Bono Region has seen a surge in chieftaincy litigations.
Critics argue that he has attempted to overstep the boundaries of his jurisdiction by exerting undue influence over independent paramount such as Nsoatre which operate under their own distinct customs and traditional protocols.
The Role of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs:Tensions reached a boiling point when the Bono Regional House of Chiefs the very body expected to serve as an impartial arbiter appeared to take a partisan stance against the Nsoatre Traditional Council.
In a move that drew severe judicial scrutiny, the Bono House of Chiefs reportedly shifted from being a neutral body to act as a plaintiff against the Nsoatre Traditional Council.
The courts have reportedly treated these actions with contempt and highlighted the breach of decorum and legality in handling the matter.
The Bono Regional House of Chiefs is meant to be a neutral ground for the resolution of disputes, not a tool for personal interests,a source close to the Nsoatre Council noted
The Question of Accountability:
Following the combined fines totaling GH¢75,000, a critical question emerged among the local populace is: Who will foot the bill?
Observers are questioning whether the fine will be paid from the personal coffers of the Dormaahene or if there is an attempt to utilize state or regional administrative funds to settle it.The situation has intensified calls for transparency with the residents demanding that personal legal liabilities arose from the unlawful interference should not be subsidized by the public or traditional coffers.
Allegations of Imposition:
The conflict deepened following a failed attempts to allegedly smuggle in a non royal identified as Foster Adjei Korang to be installed as chief through the Nsoatre kingmakers.
The move which was allegedly spearheaded by Dormaahene and Sumahene was met with stiff resistance from the Nsoatre traditional authorities, who maintained that the selection of a leader is an internal matter governed by their specific ancestral rites.Furthermore, the Nsoatre Traditional Council has expressed frustration over an attempt to sabotage their historic and cultural ties with the Ashanti Kingdom which they believe are being used as a pretext to create social and economic instability in the Nsoatre area.In the Bono region particularly Sunyani there are many alleged chieftaincy disputes pending ,yet Dormaahene has allegedly allowing peace to prevail and working on the gazette of chiefs while he singles out Nsoatre as a target for unlawful interference and punishment,in their chieftaincy issues source remarked.
An Urgent Plea for Peace:
Having previously petitioned the presidency, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the National House of Chiefs, the people of Nsoatre remain in a state of limbo.
As they await final directives from the National House of Chiefs, the community is calling for an end to political influence and external intrusions.
We want peace, the source indicated and stressed that Nsoatre is an independent paramountcy which believes in rule of law and transparency.
Attached images: Nsoatre alleged Acting Paramount chief above, (top) Dormaahene has and Chieftaincy Minister and Nsoatre Traditional Council earlier petition to relevant authorities.
