REPUBLIC vs. JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OF SEKONDI TRADITIONAL COUNCIL, EX PARTE ANGU II

LAMPTEY JA. On 17 May 1988 Kweku Abuna II and 2 others commenced a chieftaincy dispute in the Sekondi Traditional Council against Nana Kobina Angu II and 4 others. They sought a declaration that “the nomination, confinement and out-dooring of one Ocran, 2nd respondent herein, was in breach of customary law”. They sought other reliefs as well. A judicial committee of three members was constituted by the council with Nana Ntim Gyakare II as the chairman of that committee. At the first sitting of the judicial committee, Nana Kobina Angu II and the other respondent objected to the inclusion of Nana Ntim Gyakare II on the membership of the committee. They were heard fully on their objection. By its ruling dated 8 July 1988, the committee dismissed the objection in limine and assumed jurisdiction in the chieftaincy dispute. Nana Angu II and the respondents submitted to the jurisdiction of the committee and fully participated throughout the hearing of the chieftaincy dispute on the merits...