Tension is mounting at Asikesu in the Eastern region following an attempt by a rival faction to take over the Chief’s Palace.

Nine persons including the Abakomahene, Barima Ampem Otibu Darko have been arrested by the Police.

The rival faction led by the Abakomahene allegedly hired thugs numbering 25 from Accra to invade the Chief’s place Tuesday dawn, ostensibly to ransack and throw out occupants of the palace including the embattled Chief Nana Kwasi Konadu whose legitimacy is being challenged by the Aduana Royal family.

Nana Konadu is reported to have usurped the powers of the traditionally installed Chief, Barimah Tano who empowered the embattled Chief as his lieutenant after he became blind.

The embattled Chief, Nana Konadu is being accused of selling lands indiscriminately without the knowledge of the royal family.

He is alleged to have connived with some high powered Chiefs in Akyem Abuakwa and succeeded in selling 24,000 acres of lands to the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited which has led to the destruction of cocoa farms and crops of many farmers.

The aggrieved land owners, secured a court injunction at the Koforidua High Court to halt a project by GREL citing unlawful entry into their farmlands and the destruction of their cocoa farms.

The Police are currently patrolling the town with support from the Eastern regional Police Command.

Speaking to Starr News, Nana Kwasi Konadu said this is the fourth time such deadly attack has occurred.

He is, therefore, calling on the security service to prosecute the suspects arrested.

He refuted allegations of being an illegal chief.

Meanwhile, the Asamankese District Police commander, Chief Superintendent Anane Appiah said the suspects arrested will be put before court on Wednesday.