The Axim Circuit Court has remanded ten individuals into police custody for their alleged involvement in the unlawful destoolment of the Paramount Chief of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Amihere Kpainyili. This action is deemed a breach of the Public Order Act.

Kwasi Bonzoh, Chairman of the District Security Committee (DISEC) for Ellembelle in the Western Region, warned that the Committee would take all necessary measures to protect the peace in the district. He emphasized that DISEC would not permit anyone to take the law into their own hands and disrupt the peace in Ellembelle.

The alleged destoolment and subsequent enstoolment of a new chief contravened the Constitution, which requires notification of the public and police 14 and five clear days, respectively, before the installation of a new chief.

Awulaehema Avo Nyimah III, the Paramount Queen Mother of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, filed a suit at the Registry of the Western Regional House on June 6, 2024, seeking the removal of the Paramount Chief.

DISEC intervened to ensure that the law takes its course, and the ten individuals were arrested and remanded into police custody. They are scheduled to reappear in court on August 1.

DISEC Chairman Kwasi Bonzoh clarified that the Committee is not meddling in chieftaincy issues or taking sides, but rather working to maintain peace in Ellembelle.”