Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region) 27 Jan. '99

A Sunyani High Court yesterday convicted Odeneho Owusu-Sekyere for contempt for holding himself as the substantive chief of Atebubu.

The court, presided over by Justice P.K. Gyaesayor, ruled that by acting as chief, Odeneho Owusu-Sekyere violated an order by the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs restraining him from doing so.

The court said the order of the House declaring Owusu-Sekyere's installation as null and void still stands.

The House had brought the matter before the High Court since it noted that the conduct of the defendant appears to be contemptuous of the house.

The Judicial Committee of the house upheld the claim brought before it by Nana Asibaa Kyere-Mmorosa Akyeamehene and Nana Yaw Yeboah, Akwamuhene of the Atebubu traditional area, that Odeneho Owusu-Sekyere was not properly enstooled and should not act as such.

However, the committee said Odeneho Owusu-Sekyere has unambiguously admitted violating this order as contained in its judgement delivered on May 16, 1996.

The court adjourned to March three for sentence