Ayi Aryee, a self-acclaimed Wulomo (Priest) of the Korle Shrine in Accra has been hauled before an Accra General Jurisdiction High Court for holding himself as the priest of the shrine.

According to the plaintiffs-Numo Okai I,(the Korle Wulomo) and Nii Arday Quaye, a principal member of the Korle family, Aryee aka Shakpa“ is an imposter who is parading as the installed Korle Wulomo.”

Joined to the suit was Nicholas Adu Aryeetey, Dzasetse of the Korle Family, believed to have installed Ayi while Okai I remains in office as the Korle Wulomo.

Statement of claim

Nii Akwei Bruce-Thompson, lawyer for the plaintiffs in a 16 paragraph statement of claim stated that sometime in May, 2012, the principal elders of Korle We led by Quaye nominated, elected and installed Okai I as Korle Wulomo and head of the Korle family.

It said one Aryee Annang and five others subsequently sued the two plaintiffs and three others over the installation, a case the High Court after full trial on November 4, 2011 ruled that, Okai I was properly installed.

The plaintiff’s lawyer claimed that in July this year, Nicholas without the consent and authority of the family and especially of Quaye and the High Priestess of Korle We, purporting to have removed Okai I, sent thugs to invade Korle We where the plaintiff resides with the Korle Priestesses and other family members.

Okai I Removed?

According to Bruce-Thompson, not only did the said thugs ransack and loot the place but also committed acts of violence, inflicting wounds on Okai I, using cutlass and broken bottles.

“No meeting of the principal members of the family and Priestesses was ever convened to which Okai I as Wulomo was invited with laid charges, calling upon him to answer to warrant his removal or otherwise. Nicholas could not unilaterally claim to have removed the plaintiff as Korle Wulomo” the statement of claim argued.

Reliefs

As a result, the duo among others want the court to declare that Okai I is the Korle Wulomo and head of the Korle We and that his purported removal by Nicholas is “null and void and of no legal effect.”

Lawyers of the two are demanding an order of perpetual injunction restraining ‘Shakpa’ from acting or purporting to act as the Korle Wulomo.