News
James Town Stool Saga: GAR House of Chiefs dismisses Asharku’s stay of proceedings
The Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs sitting at Dodowa on May, 25, 2021, have dismissed Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye’s application for a stay of proceedings, Pending the determination of a high court case.
He and Edward Adjiri Solomon (2nd respondent), were facing trial at the Regional house of chiefs after a petition filed against them by NiiOkpe family (King Makers) for performing rituals last year at KorleGonno, installing themselves as James Town Mantse, without involving the Okpe family.
The 2nd respondent, who was seen to be closer to be installed the James Town Mantse, voluntarily filed an application to the judicial committee on March 5, 2021, to be non-suited on the petiton, which was readily granted on March 26, 2021.
This followed his admission before the judicial committee that, he had never claimed to be the properly installed James Town Chief or Mantse but rather made a claim that he was a ryal who could become a chief one day at James Town.
The three-member judical committee chaired by NiiTettehOtu II, in dismissing Bruce Quaye’s application, held that, his application “did not show any special circumstances to warrant the stay of proceedings in the instant trial”.
“In that regard, the application for stay of proceedings of the trial of this petition is refused and same is hereby dismissed,” it read.
Other members of the judicial committee were King Prof. OdaifoWelentsi III, and GbetsolorNiiAshiteyAkomfra III.
The judicial committee had stated in its judgement that, the 2nd respondent, by applying to be non-suited, had closed the door to himself and would be “estopped from making claims against the petitioners as far as the Kingmakers of the NgleshieAlata James Town Paramount Stool and membership of the petitioners of Okpe family are concerned”.
The house has adjourned the case to June 15, 2021, for the continued hearing of the substantive petition.
By Francis Xah
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
