Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Contempt Case Against Minister Dropped

By Stephen K. Effah
Wednesday, 09 July 2008


A contempt case brought against the Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, and three others by Obirifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, Omanhene of Gomoa Akyempim, was yesterday withdrawn from an Accra High Court.

This followed a plea by the Regional House of Chiefs to settle the matter out of court to ensure peaceful co-existence in the area.

Nana Arthur, Joyce Aidoo, Gomoa District Chief Executive, its presiding member, Oscar Abban and the chief of Afransi Ogyedom, Nana Kwasi Atta, were cited for contempt for inaugurating the newly created Gomoa East District in spite of a court injunction on the function.

The court, presided over by Justice E.K Mensah, granted the appeal by the House of Chiefs, and gave them up to July 28 to report to the court the outcome of the settlement.

The facts of the case as heard by the court are that on May 29, Obirifo Ankobea filed a suit against the Attorney-General and the Electoral Commission over the naming of Afransi as the district capital for the newly created Gomoa East District.

On June 9, the chief filed an interlocutory application for an injunction, citing Parliament, the Attorney-General and the Electoral Commission. Hearing was fixed for June 18.

In an affidavit in support of the contempt case, Obirifo Ankobea noted that in spite of the injunction, Nana Arthur dissolved the former Gomoa District Assembly on June 18 and proceeded to inaugurate the Gomoa East District at Afransi.

Obirifo Ankobea had therefore prayed the court to imprison the four people saying their action amounted to contempt which brought the court into disrepute.

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