The four kingmakers arrested for flouting restriction on social gathering were convicted to a fine of GH¢48,576.00 by the Akropong Circuit Court on Wednesday.
The court fined them a total of 1,012 penalty units, and they would in default serve four years in prison.
This was after the convicts, Odehye Kofi Asiedu Adu-Mfum, 59, Nana Odi Asempa Krobea Asante,76, Nana Samanhyia Ohene Ansah Krofa II, 43, and Bennett Osei Opoku alias Ohenenana Bennett Osei Opoku, 55, pleaded guilty to the charge of non-compliance with section 6 of the Imposition of Restriction Act 1012 /2020.
Appearing before Mrs Harriet Nsembo, counsel for the convicts, Mr Joseph Adakpaksa asked the court to tamper justice with mercy, adding that the kingmakers were overwhelmed by uninvited guests at the ceremony meant for a few people.
Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Lukeman Sulemana, told the court that, the accused were involved in the installation of the new Okuapehene, at Akropong Akuapem last Friday.
He said the four flouted social distancing directives in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Ghana.
The four chiefs were arrested last week at the installation ceremony of new Okuapehene in the Eastern Region.
The incident followed the judicial committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs’ ruling, which declared the enstoolment of Odehyee Kwasi Akuffo as the Okuapemhene null and void.
According to the ruling, the selection of Odehyee Kwasi Akuffo by the queenmother, Nana Afua Nketia Obuo II, was against the laid-down customs and traditions of Akuapem.
The committee also asserted that per the customs and tradition of Akuapem, it was the Abrewatia of the Sekyiabea Royal Family- the family with the mandate to install the new chief that has the power to choose someone to be installed as the Okuapehene.
The committee, which was chaired by the Konor of Manya Krobo, Nene Sackitey, held that there was no proof that the installation of Odehyee Kwasi Akuffo by the queenmother was done with the involvement of the Abrewatia.
The house, therefore, ordered as part of the consequential orders that Odehyee Kwasi Akuffo should desist from holding himself as the Okuapehene.
It also ordered that the installation of the Okuapehene should follow the laid-down customs and traditions of Akuapem.
FROM AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN, KOFORIDUA
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