REPUBLIC vs. JUDICIAL COMMITTEE, AKIM ABUAKWA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL, EX PARTE MANU AND OTHERS

LUTTERODT JA. This is an appeal against the ruling of the High Court, Koforidua delivered on 4 December 1989. On 9 January 1983 the chief of Kwae died and the following year, to be precise on 5 September 1984, Opanyin Brobbey Aboagye, the 3rd interested-party-respondent was installed as his successor. The appellants herein, being highly aggrieved by his enstoolment instituted proceedings before the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council for a declaration that the installation was null and void. Accordingly, the council appointed a three-member panel, all of whom were chiefs, to hear and determine the complaint. That judicial committee, as constituted, heard evidence from both sides and on 2 October 1984 delivered a judgment which went in the appellants’ favour. However, some months later, i.e. on 3 June 1985, the appellants received a letter from the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council. Attached to it was a judgment, which was supposed to have been read on 31 May 1985 by a judicial commi.....