[2021]DLSC10160 • April 14, 2021 • Supreme Court •
ADAMS ADDY AND ADU AKWAANOR vs. SOLOMON MINTAH ACKAAH
The Respondent claimed to be the substantive head of the Akwaanor Royal Family of Ashalaja, seeking declarations to that effect and to restrain the Appellants from holding themselves out as heads. The Appellants contended they were joint heads of the family, tracing their authority through their father and prior heads, and challenged the Respondent's membership and authority. The dispute involved claims over family headship and authority to manage family lands.
read moreINTRODUCTION We have before us an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, confirming the judgment of the High Court (Probate and Administration Division) which held that the Plaintiff/Respondent/Respondent (hereinafter called “the Respondent”) is the true head of the Akwaanor Royal Family. BACKGROUND The background to this appeal is that the Respondent, by an amended Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim dated 25th April, 2014, sought the following reliefs against the Defendants/Appellants/Appellants (hereinafter called “the Appellants”): i. A declaration that the Plaintiff is the substantive Head of the Akwaanor Royal family of Ashalaja; ii. A declaration that the Defendants are not the Heads of the Akwaanor Royal family of Ashalaja; iii. A declaration that any act or acts done by the Defendants in the purported capacity as Heads of the Akwaanor Royal family of Ashalaja is null and void; iv. An Order directed at the Defendants to relinquish any asset...