Supreme Court confirms Omanhen of Edina
Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, Omanhen of Edina received a rousing welcome to his palace after the Supreme Court in Accra ruled in his favour and endorsed him as the qualified chief of the Traditional Area.
The Omanhen filed a petition at the Supreme Court, after he was restrained by a Cape Coast High Court from performing his duties as a chief until his status as Omanhen has been fully and finally determined by an appropriate forum.
This follows a petition filed against him in 1998 by the Kingmaker of Edina led by Supi George Asmah, at the National and Central Regional Houses of Chiefs, seeking a declaration that the purported installation of Nana Conduah was contrary to the customary practice of the Edina State and therefore null and void.
The petition also sought an order for the destoolment of Nana Conduah by the Regional House of Chiefs and applied for and obtained an interim injunction order from a Cape Coast High Court.
He was however, found guilty by the High Court for contempt when he received some donations from sponsors prior to the 2011 Edina Bakatue Festival and was sentenced to three months imprisonment for contempt but was freed within some few days.
The elated crowd spotting white attire poured on the streets of the Elmina Township amidst singing and drumming to express their joy over the victory of the chief and his safe return to the palace.
Others also lined-up the streets waving white pieces of cloth as the Omanhen was driving through the town whilst cars and motor bikes tooted their horns.
As tradition demands, rituals were performed including the slaughtering of a ram at the “Nana Benya Shrine” to thank the gods for the victory.
Nana Conduah, who later addressed the jubilant crowd at his palace, thanked them for their unflinching support during his incarceration and throughout the entire court proceedings.
He said it was unfortunate that since his installation as chief of the area for the past 13 years there has not been peace, particularly during the celebration of the Edina Bakatue festival.
Nana Conduah said he had forgiven the perpetrator of the case and called for peace and unity for the development of the area.
The Omanhen said he would continue with the development projects he had started and appealed to his supporters not to do anything that would disturb the peace of the area.
It would be recalled that in April last year a Cape Coast High Court sentenced Nana Conduah to three months imprisonment when it cited him for contempt for the fifth time.
The court in addition, imposed a fine of GH¢3,000 against him and awarded cost of GH¢2,500 in favour of the applicant, Supi George Asmah.
Nana Conduah was said to have flouted the order of the High Court severally resulting in four contempt cases since 2002 of which he was sometimes fined or made to sign an undertaking to stay off until the case was finally determined.
Source: GNA