Wa, June 12, GNA - Wa High Court presided over by Mr Justice B.O. Tetteh has ruled that Kuoro Mumuni Dumbie who was de-skinned as Paramount Chief of Wellembelle Traditional Area, should be reinstated as the rightful occupant of the skin.

The Court awarded 10 million cedis cost to be paid by Registrar of the Wellembelle Traditional Council, Musah Wellembelle who is the first defendant, Using-ee Boyong-Mua, second defendant and Siafu Beyong third defendant who was appointed as Regent and 10 other people who were interested parties to the suit.

On January 7, this year, the Elders and Kingmakers of Wellembelle organized a news conference and asked that Kuoro Munmuni Dumbie, who is the Chief of Galibaga Traditional Area should be de-skinned. Among other things, they accused him of being dictatorial, oppressive and could no longer serve their interest in the traditional area.

They also claimed that Nabulo and Bichambo two loyal communities of the traditional area had to desert them to be on their own because of the bad leadership of the chief.

The Elders and Kingmakers later appointed Siafu Beyong, the third defendant as Regent of the area.

Mr James Abiaduka, Counsel for Kuoro Dumbie in reaction to their action, petitioned the High court claiming that since Wellembelle Traditional Area was a paramountcy, the Elders and Kingmakers had no jurisdiction to settle any dispute except by a committee of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs.

He also claimed that the process of appointing the Regent was without judicial procedure and pleaded with the court to declare the appointment of the Regent as null and void.

Counsel also pleaded with the court to place an injunction on Siafu Beyong from acting as Regent of the traditional area. Mr Wellembelle, second defendant who is also a member of the Tumu Galibaga Action Movement that de-skinned the chief said removal of Kuoro Dumbie was done according to the traditional rites of invoking gods of the area.