By Our Reporter
The chief of Aburi- Atweasin in the Akuapem Traditional Area of the Eastern Region Nana Otutu Obrempong Kumah II has called on the security agencies particularly the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to immediately arrest and investigate Nana Opare Kwafo, the Mawerehene of Atweasin.
According to the Atweasinhene, the usage of military personnel by the Nana Opare Kwafo, the Mawerehene of Atweasin to intimidate his (Atweasinhene) followers anytime they went for Judicial committee hearings is becoming too much.
Addressing a press conference on Friday at his palace to express his dislike over the event, Nana Otutu Obrempong Kumah II expressed grave concern over the unsolvable chieftaincy dispute in the area.
“It beats my imagination to comprehend with the interest of Nana Opare Kwafo, the Mawerehene of Atweasin since he is not my family member and for that matter a contender to this matter”, he stressed.
The chief explained that they attended one of the many Judiciary committee hearings of chieftaincy dispute which started some two years between him and one Nana Frimpong Kodua a former Chief of Aburi Atweasin challenging the legitimacy of his occupancy of the stool at the Akuapem Traditional Council.
The three-member committee which is chaired by the Chief of Awukugua, Nana Opese Konadu is hearing a matter brought before it by Nana Frimpong Kodua a former Chief of Aburi Atweasin challenging the legitimacy of Nana Otutu Obrempong Kumah II.
This was after the former had officially in letter writing to the Oyoko Family of Atweasin of his incapability to continue as the Chief for the area, leading to the appointment of Otutu Obrempong Kumah II as the Chief for the Area.
Nana Otutu Obrempong Kumah II continued that, Nana Opare Kwafo the Mawerehene of Atweasin who is not from the Oyoko family but has decided to throw his support to Nana Frimpong Kodua a former Chief of Aburi Atweasin.
The chief stressed that, on Wednesday after the sitting and were about joining their car at the forecourt of the palace, an unidentified military officer who is a bodyguard to the Mawerehene of Atweasin asked one of his (Nana Otutu Obrempong Kumah II) supporter to bring his mobile phone.
He mentioned that since he (chief of Atweasin ) did not understand why his supporter should give his phone to him (military officer) decided to find out from the military officer but this did not go down well with the military officer who subjected the chief to verbal assault.
“At this point my supporters who were not happy with the way and manner the military officer was insulting me decided to attack the military officer, a situation that forced the uniform man to reach his sidearm.
He indicated that but for the timely intervention and information reaching the police personnel who are on duty at the palace, the military officer would have caused harm and damage last Wednesday.
Nana Otutu Obrempong Kumah II has therefore cautioned that he would not allow any individual or group of hired security personnel to intimidate him and his followers, hence the urgency to investigate the matter.
He disclosed that, intimidation and threatening to kill his supporters is becoming usual of these military officers who accompanied Nana Opare Kwafo, the Mawerehene of Atweasin anytime they come for hearing.
To this, he passionately called on the security to call these bodyguards to order, adding that he would equally prepare and apply the same force of intimidation come April 8, this year, the next date for the hearing.
The case has since been reported to the Akropong district police command.
Confirming the case, the Akropong District Police Commander Chief Superintendent Stephen Anane Boye Tetteh, said his office is investigating the matter and would update the general public in due time.
He has meanwhile called on the chiefs and people of the area to give peace and unity a chance and encourage each other to live in harmony.
Nana Opare Kwafo the Mawerehene of Atweasin on the other hand declined to comment on the matter when contacted.
It appears the chieftaincy dispute, one of the many which have witnessed a number of bloody and bitter conflicts in most parts of the country and by extension Akuapem Traditional Area is far from over.
