The Osu Mantse Stool is currently, vacant and in the absence of an Osu Mantse, the Osu Naadu Klotey Wulomo, Wor-Lumor Boni Numo Noi Osekan Kpenuku II and his councillors have resolved to direct legal affairs of Osu.
They have therefore appointed new lawyers to act as solicitors for the Osu Stool.
The accredited elders of the Osu representing the four Divisions of Osu; Osu Kinkawe Divisional Council, Osu Ashante Blohum Divisional Council, Osu Anerho Divisional Council, and Osu Alata Divisional Council, announced Oliver Atsu Abada, Esq. of Abada & Co (Legal Practitioners & Notaries Public), Prince Asare, Esq. of PK Asare & Partners (Legal Practitioners), Belinda Weaver Womowutagi Pwamang, Esq. of B. Weaver Pwamang
Legal (Legal Practitioners), Beyeeman Ofori-Atta Akyea, Esq. of Zoe, Akyea & Co (Legal Practitioners & Notaries Public), as their new lawyers.
The decision to appoint new layers was taken due to the withdrawal of Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour, Esq.’s practicing license.
Also, it was stated that, Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour, Esq. was appointed by the late Osu Mantse, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI and upon his demise, the contract signed with Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour, Esq. for the Osu Stool becomes nullified.
According to the accredited elders, the current management of the Osu Stool has not renewed Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour’s appointment and hence has engaged new team of lawyers to work on all matters relating to the Osu Stool.
They stressed that Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour’s claim to be the lawyer for the Osu Stool remain enigmatic till this day, though he claims to be lawyer for the Osu Stool, his appointment by the late Osu Paramount Chief, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI and in all the cases that he was prosecuting on behalf of the Stool, the Osu Mantse was representing the Osu Stool but ceases to be the legal representative of the Osu Stool after the death of Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, and in all the cases that he was prosecuting on behalf of the Stool, the Osu Mantse was representing the Osu Stool but ceases to be the legal representative of the Osu Stool after the death of Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI.
The elders pointed out that upon the death of Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour ceased to be the legal representative of the Osu Stool and also, no steps have been
taken to renew the ambiguous mandate of Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour Esq. as their lawyer.
It would be recalled that the General Legal Council (GLC) had suspended Lawyer Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour following a disciplinary hearing pending before the GLC.
In a Release issued and signed by Wor-Lumor Boni, Nuumo Noi Osekan Kpenuku II-Osu Kinkawe Divisional Council, Osu Ashante Blohum Divisional Council, Osu Anerho Divisional Council and Osu Alata Divisional Council, they stated that the decision of the new appointment comes with the approval of the Nadu Klottey Wulomo of Osu, Wor-Lumor Boni, Nuumo Noi Osekan Kpenuku II.
With the new appointment, Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour, Esq. and his law firm, Fosu-Gyeabour & Co. (Kyidom Chambers), is no longer authorized to represent the Osu Stool in any legal matters and is required to withdraw from all pending cases.
“The Nadu Klottey Wulomo and his Councillors have issued a caution that any business conducted with Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour, Esq. or his firm regarding Osu land is done at the
individual’s own risk.”
According to the accredited elders, Kwame Fosu-Gyeabour, Esq. has no authority over any legal matters regarding the Osu Stool and that persons who continue to do business with him or his form do so at their own risk.
The Councillors expressed confidence in a productive relationship with the newly appointed solicitors in the best interest of the Stool and the Osu community.
In another development, the Osu Stool represented by Osu Naadu Klotey Wulomo, Wor-Lumor Boni Numo Noi Osekan Kpenuku II, the Supreme Ruler and owner of Osu soil, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Prestige Group of Companies Limited to manage and harness its vast landed properties in and around Accra.
This was done with the consent of the accredited elders of Osu including Osu Kikka we Divisional Council, Osu Ashanti Blohum Divisional Council, Osu Anerho Divisional Council and Osu Alata Divisional Council.
The MoU with Prestige Group of Companies Limited, acting through its Director Frank Kofi Lewi, was made on November 22, 2023.
Under this MoU, Prestige Group of Companies Limited will act as the Facilitator, leveraging its expertise to manage and protect the Osu Stool’s landed resources.
Responsibilities include warding off encroachers, collecting ground rents, following up on compensations from the Central and Local Governments for compulsory land acquisitions, recovering trespassed properties, and implementing levies and dues set by the Osu Traditional Council.
The Facilitator will utilize its own resources, including financing, logistics, and personnel, to achieve these goals. Where necessary, they will seek legal assistance to resolve land-related
issues in the best interest of the Stool.
The agreement stipulates that 65% of any recoveries or compensations will go to the Stool, 25% to the Facilitator (Prestige Group of Companies Limited) as commission, and 10% for miscellaneous expenses.
It was agreed that the First Party shall indemnify the Facilitator against expenses, cost, losses and liability he may incur in the course of executing his duties under the MoU.
The first party is also barred from engaging with third parties in any manner that could adversely affect their mutual interests and undermines the obligations given to the Facilitator
(Prestige Group).