Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - Nii Okai Kasablofo IV, Gbese Dzaasetse, has cautioned that any person or group of persons who were planning to install a new Gbese Mantse to beware of the legal consequences. In a statement read at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, Nii Kasablofo said such action might run contrary to the various court rulings with regards to the handing over of the Gbese Palace and any preparations for the installation of a new Gbese Mantse. "The Elders will like to remind such persons of the Supreme Court rulings, which bind all legitimate Elders and King Makers of the Gbese Division of the Ga State, against the enstoolment of a new chief for Gbese, outside the lines and dictates of the court ruling." Nii Kasablofo said.

He said the court ruling also constituted, who should take custody of the Gbese stool regalia.

Nii Kasablofo reminded those bent on the enstoolment that it was against the 1941 Gbese agreement for the rotational succession as authenticated by the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs. He said the Dzaase of Gbese would not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law on any group of persons who would attempt to subvert the peace and tranquillity of Gbese by enstooling an illegitimate candidate or foment trouble.

He said recent publications in sections of the media revealed that, "one Nii Adama Thompson, purporting to be holding himself as the Acting Gbese Dzaasetse, had handed over the royal regalia of the Gbese stool to one Offei, who holds himself as Nii Akwete Krobo Saki III in a capacity as head of Akwetey Krobo Saki We".

The Gbese Dzaasetse said Nii Thompson handed the stool regalia to the wrong person adding that the rightful person was Nii Tetteh Ahinakwa - Head of Akwete Krobo Saki We. Nii Kasablofo said Nii Thompson had no locus and standing in performing any legitimate acts in Gbese adding that the news item was false and amounted to usurpation of current Dzasetse position. "The media publication flies contrary to a Supreme Court ruling and constitutes an act of contempt.=94

Nii Kasablofo advised the public to be cautious of doing business with Nii Thompson and persons he handed over the Gbese stool regalia as illegal persons with no locus.

The statement was signed by Nii Kasabrofo; Nii Ashrifi Mettle-Nunoo, Nyan Abodiamo We; Nii Kwame Pebi II, Plenshiaku We (Shiawulu); Nii Tetteh Ahinakwa, Akwete Krobo Saki We; Nii Ayikai Ayi-Bonte, Afie We and Nii Ayi Oku Djena of Anege We. 27 Sept. 06