REPUBLIC vs. ADANSI TRADITIONAL COUNCIL; EX PARTE NANA AKYIE II AND ANOTHER [1974]DLCA2314

Date	1974-06-10
Suit No.
Citation No.	[1974]DLCA2314

ANIN JA

ANNAN JA

HAYFRON-BENJAMIN J.A.

C. F. HAYFRON-BENJAMIN FOR THE APPELLANTS.

MMIEH (S. K. BOAFO WITH HIM) FOR THE RESPONDENTS.

[1974]DLCA2314
																																						<div class="restriction-wrapper">
														<div class="container-lg">
															<div class="row">
																<div class="col-md-12 restricted-content">
																	<div class="restricted-content-img-wrapper">
																		<div class="lock-icon bounce-7">
																			<img class=""
																				src="https://www.dennislawgh.com/dl-assets/dl-images/lock-content.png"
																				alt="Subscription based content">
																		</div>
																	</div>
																	 
																		<a href="https://www.dennislawgh.com/login"
																		class="btn btn-primary btn-lg"
																		style="font-family: 'open sans'; text-transform: capitalize; border-radius: 8px"> 
																		Login to Read Full Case </a>
																	 
																	
																</div>
															</div>
														</div>
													</div>
													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" ><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#548DD4">REPUBLIC <o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#548DD4">vs. <o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#548DD4">ADANSI TRADITIONAL COUNCIL; EX PARTE NANA AKYIE II AND ANOTHER <o:p></o:p>[COURT OF APPEAL, ACCRA]<o:p></o:p>[1974] 2 GLR 126<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.5pt;
padding:31.0pt 31.0pt 1.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">

DATE:<span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#00B0F0"> 10 JUNE 1974.<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL:&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

<a name="_gjdgxs"></a>C. F. HAYFRON-BENJAMIN FOR THE APPELLANTS.<o:p></o:p>

MMIEH
(S. K. BOAFO WITH HIM) FOR THE RESPONDENTS.<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM: <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">

ANIN, ANNAN AND
HAYFRON-BENJAMIN JJ.A.<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>JUDGMENT OF ANIN J.A.<o:p></o:p>The short
but important point argued in this appeal was whether or not the Adansi
Traditional Council was seised with jurisdiction when less than one half of the
total number of its membership sat to hear and determine a cause or matter
affecting chieftaincy.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The
proceedings herein were formally commenced on 13 November 1968 when, before the
full assembly of all the 21 members of the Adansi Traditional Council, presided
over by the Adansihene as chairman at Bonsra Afriyie Palace, Fomena, the second
plaintiff swore the oaths of Edubiasi, Adansi and the great oath of Ashanti
that the defendant is not a true royal of the Edubiasi royal family, and as
such could not occupy the vacant Edubiasi stool; whereupon the defendant
responded to the same oaths that he is a true royal of Edubiasi stool and, as
such, eligible to occupy the said vacant stool and that he had in fact been
customarily nominated by the co-defendants. As demanded by custom, each party
was ordered to slaughter four sheep; an order which was promptly complied with.
Thereafter, this oath case involving a chieftaincy dispute was adjourned sine
die. Hearing of evidence in the case commenced on 28 October 1969 before the
full 21 member panel of the Adansi Traditional Council under the chairmanship
of Nana Adansihene; and was continued thereafter before the same panel on 5
November 1969, 7 November 1969, 10 November 1969 and 24 November 1969.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>On 19 May
1970, Nana Adansihene (chairman) presided over a panel of only five members of
the council, with four linguists—all non-members—in attendance upon him. The
main business transacted that day was that of adjournment of the case until 24
June 1970 at the request of the first plaintiff. However, the following
significant note appears in the record of proceedings for that day:<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">“Note:
Nana Kwantwi Barimah II, Adansihene and chairman of the committee informed
members that owing to the numerous assignments entrusted to him by the Ashanti
Region House of Chiefs, he could not preside over the case again, and therefore
appointed a committee of seven, namely, Nananom Appianini II, Ayasehene,
chairman, Kwasi Boabin II, Dompoasihene, Nana Owusu Sampah II, Akrokerrihene,
Kwadwo Kyere Ababio Bodwese- anwohene, Bafour Mireku II, Gyasehene Fomena,
Okyere Ababio, Twafohene, Fomena, and Kwaku Amoako, Krontihene, Akrofuom as
members to go into the case on 24 June 1970. Nana Adansihene instructed the new
members of the committee to take fresh evidence from the litigants. The second
plaintiff suggested that the case be continued without hearing fresh evidence.
All the defendants also agreed that the case be continued from where it was
adjourned last time. So despite any previous sitting and evidence already
adduced, both parties consented to adopt all evidence already adduced and
therefore wished the reconstituted committee to continue from where they
reached. The reconstituted committee also agreed to continue from the evidence
already adduced. The case was therefore adjourned to 24 June 1970 at 9 a.m. All
parties were to make available their witnesses on that date.<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">(Sgd.)
Appianini II AYASEHENE Chairman Recorder <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">(Sgd.) E.
R. Frimpong Secretary.”<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Thereafter,
the rest of the evidence in the case was heard by this reconstituted committee
of seven under the chairmanship of the Ayasehene, Nana Appianini II, on 24 June
1970; 19 January 1971; 28 Jan</main>