Ngleshie Alata Elders Reject Asharku-Bruce Quaye’s Claim to Wetse Kojo II


Tension is mounting in the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area, commonly known as Alata James Town in the Greater Accra Region, as elders question why Prince Asharku-Bruce Quaye has taken the title Wetse Kojo II following his controversial induction as Paramount Chief.


Elders argue that the title Wetse Kojo II was previously held by the late Henry George Vanderpuye, who ruled as Ngleshie Alata Chief in 1939. If Asharku-Bruce Quaye were indeed the rightful Paramount Chief, they insist, he should have taken the title Wetse Kojo III instead. The decision has raised concerns about the legitimacy of his claim to the throne and deepened divisions within the traditional leadership.


The controversy stems from Asharku-Bruce Quaye’s destoolment in 2015 by the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Council, which barred him from holding himself as Chief of the Anumasa Division. Court documents from the case, Suit No: NATC/JC2/2015, confirm that the Council ruled against him in a matter brought by Naa Akushia Codjoe, Acting Head and lawful representative of the Anumasa Division, alongside Nii Asharku Ayiku III, Dzasetse of the Anumasa Division. The ruling, presided over by Nii Odametey I and other Council members, established that Nii Kweikuma Aple Otoo IV was the legitimate Chief of Anumasa.


Elders and critics within the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Council have also condemned the role of Nungua Mantse, King Odaifio Welentsi III, in overseeing Asharku-Bruce Quaye’s installation. They accuse him of disregarding the customs of Ngleshie Alata and interfering in chieftaincy matters, further undermining the authority of the Traditional Council.


With tensions rising, the issue has sparked broader debates about traditional leadership, legal rulings, and the preservation of chieftaincy customs. As stakeholders continue to push back against what they describe as a violation of their traditional system, the matter remains unresolved.



Below is the full text of the ruling:


IN THE JUDICIAL COMMITI¥E SITTINGS OF THE NGLESHIE ALATA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST, 2015 AT THE JAMES TOWN PALACE, MATSE AGBONAA.


SUIT NO: NATC/JC2/2015


THE MATTER OF


1. NAAAKUSHIA CODJOE

(AKA SILVIA AKUSHIA CODJOE)

AG. HEAD AND LAWFUL REP. OF AKUMASA DIVISION OF NGLESHIE ALATA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL HOUSE NO. A731 /1, KORLEGONNO,

AACRA

PLAINTIFF



2. NII ASHARKU AYIKU III DZASITSE OF ARNUMASE DIVISION OF NGLESHIE ALATA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL HOUSE NO. A44/6. OLD WINNEBA ROAD, ACCRA

VRS



3. PRINCE ASHARKU BRUCE QUAYE



4. ATI QUAYE (AKA NUMO BORDAT III




DEFENDANT


JUDGMENT


This cause or matter affecting chicftaincy is orought under a writ of summons by Naa Akushia Codjoe &1 Or. The writ of summons is directed at Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye & 1 Or. Praying before this court for an order to restrain the 1st Defendants herein, his agents, servants from holding himself out as chief and 24 Defendants as the Wulorno of the Anumasa Division of Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area and also from performing any chiefly functions, duties or any other customary or traditional functions associated with the Anumasa Division.


The parties herein are simply referred to as plaintiffs and Defendants respectively.

On the 21st day of July, 2015, the plaintiffs in this suit filed a writ of summons with a statement of claim together with an accompanying affidavit to be issued against the Defendants seeking the following reliefs


a. A declaration that the 1st Defendant has not been nominated, elected, selected and installed as chief of Anumasa Division in.accordance with tradition and ‘customs of the area


b. A declaration that Nii Kweikuma Aplel Otoo FV is the legitimate chief of Anumasa

c. An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants from holding themselves out as a chief / Wulomo and from performing any chiefly functions.

d. Damages

e. Cost for this aetion


Other reliefs sought by the plaintiffs are as follows:

i. An order restraining the 1st Defendants herein, his agents and servants from holding himself out as-chief and 2™ Defendant as Wulomo of Anumasa Traditional Area of James:-Town, Accra

ii. Also, from performing any chiefly functions, duties or any other customary or traditional functions associated with the Anumase Division.


On the 21st day of July, 2015 at 3:30pm O’clock in the forenoon or so thereafter, copies of the plaintiff's writ of summons with the statement of claim and together with the accompanying affidavit and hearing notice dated 21/7/15 were duly served on the 1st & 2nd Defendants personally at the Anumasa Divisional Stool Palace as testified by Mr. Henry Plange, Assistant Registrar attached to the Ngleshie Alata Traditional council for the case to be heard on Wednesday 5/8/15.


On the 5th day of August, 2015 at 9:00am O, clock when the case was called, the Defendants absented and failed to appear before we Niimei at the detriment of the plaintiffs. On the same day, ié 5/8/15 another hearing notices were again served on both parties with the hope that the 1st & 2nd Defendants will attend to court on 12/8/ 15 as schedule.


Again, on Wednesday, 12th August, 2015 at 9:00am when the case was called for the second time, 1st & 2nd Defendants again failed and absented themselves from court without even a word to we Niimei. Information reaching us proved that the 1st & 2nd Defendants herein were moving about freely in town without any attempt to attend to court knowing very well the pendency of the case before us. It looks as if the Defendants themselves have no respect for us as well as this honourable court. It therefore stands to reason that the Defendants want to conduct the proceedings of this court by their own leissures which in the circumstance is unacceptable by we Niimei of this tribunal. Today 25th August, 2015, the third time, the 1st & 2nd Defendants failed to attend to court without any message to the court. It seems we have over indulge the Defendants too much at the detriment of the plaintiffs in this case. Time has therefore come for us to reject. the numerous absenteeism from the Defendant’s end. We shall allow the plaintiffs to open and close their case and thereafter, we shall give our judgment on the matter before us by virtue of CI 27r12(3) of 1971and LI 798r8(4).


BY COURT


At all material time, Naa Akushia Cudjoe (aka Silvia Akushia Cudjoe) Acting Head and Lawful representative of the Anumasa Division of the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area has been representing the plaintiffs in this case. At our first hearing date ie. 5/8/15, the 1st & 2nd Defendants in this case failed and absented themselves from Court without ‘any excuse or word to the court even though hearing notices were duly served on them as testified by Mr. Henry Plange, Assistant Registrar attached to the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Council. On the 2nd adjournment date ie. 12/8/15 both 1st & 2nd Defendants failed to attend to court


without even a word to we Niimei as well as this honourable court. Information reaching us proved that both 1st & 2nd Defendants were moving about freely in town without any attempt to attend to court knowing very well the pendency of the case before us. On the 25th day of August, 2015 when the case was called for the third time, both 1st & 2nd repeated their conduct and never attend to court. It seems the Defendants has rio respect for this court neither have they any respect for we Niimei wiich in the circumstance cannot be acceptable by us.


Again, looking at the chequered history of the case before us, it is hereby observed that the 1st & 2nd Defendants Prince Ashaiku Bruce Quaye and Ati Quaye aka Numo Bordai I has never been validly nominated, elected, selected and ‘enstooled in accordance with the customary law, practices and usages as chief and Wulomo within: the Anumasa Division of the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area. (see section 57 (1.& 2) of Act 759 of 2008) see also section 9 (1) of court Act, 1960(CA9) section 1 of Act 81 of 1961; section 48 (1) of Act 370 of Act of 1971. Reference is also made to the Republic Vrs. Anglo Traditional Council; Ex-parte; Hor I (1979) GLR 234, CA; Republic Vrs Komanda Traditional Council; Ex-parte Prah II (1981), GLR 759, Republic Vrs. Akim Abuakwa Traditional Council; Ex-parte Nana Apeanyo if (1980) GLR 799. In all those cited cases. above emphasis is made to the registration and gazeting as essential elements of proof of a status of a chief. i


We Niimei upon hearing the statement of claim and affidavit in support of Naa Akushia Codjoe, Acting Head and Lawful representative of Anumasa Division  of Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area of House No. A731/1, Korle Gonno, Accra; the Ist plaintiff ‘herein for and on behalf of the 2™ plaintiff and upon listening and hearing of Naa Akushia Codjoe, aka Silvia Akushia Codjoe, Acting Head and Lawful representative of the Anumasa Division of Ngleshig Alata Traditional Area, James Town Accra for herself and on behalf of the 2" plaintiff herein and we Niimei having heard 1st plaintiff submissions, statement of claim, averment together with the accompanying affidavit in support and also having gone through all the court processes and procedures, rules and regulations by virtue of LI 798r 8(4) and CI 27r 12(2) we Niimei have no option than to uphold to all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs and may also order the following:

i. That 1st Defendant, Prince Ashaiku Bruce Quaye is hereby estopped from holding himself out as chief of Anumasa Division within the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area,

II. That, Nii Kweikuma Aple Otoo IV is the legitimate chief of the Anumasa Division who has been validly nominated, selected, elected and enstooled as Anumasa Mantse or chief in accordance with the customary laws, practices and usages of Anumasa Division of Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area as enshrined by section 57 ( 1&2) of Act 759 of 2008 and also Article 273-275 of the 1992 constitution. |


III. That, the 2™ Defendant is hereby restrained from holding himself out as Wulomo of Anumasa Division since he has been fraudulently enstooled by 1st Defendant, Prince Ashaiku Bruce Quaye who has never been enstooled by anybody as chief within the Anumasa Division of the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area.


iv. Both 1st & 2nd Defendants their agents, assigns privies are restrained from performing any traditional ard customary functions as a chief and Wulomo associated with the said customs and ‘traditions of the said Anumasa Division and more importantly from intermeddling or dealing with the sale of stool properties ie. Land etc. belonging to the Anumasa Divisional stool by virtue of section 44 of Act 759 of 2008,

iv. It is also hereby ordered that the Researoh committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs as well as the National House of Chiefs should take steps and restore the name of Nii Kwei Kuma Aple Otoo IV into the National Register of Chiefs with immediate effect.


vi. It is also hereby ordered that Prince Ashaiku Brace Quaye the 1st Defendant in this suit take steps to handover all stool properties belonging ‘to the Anumasa Divisional Stool in his possession by virtue of section 44 of Act 759 of 2008 to Nii Kwei Kuma Aple Oto IV the substantive and legitimate chief of Anumasa Division within the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area with immediate effect.


Vii. . Cost of GHC350.00 for the plaintiff.


VINCENT D. TO. NARTEY

REGISTRAR/RECORDER


1. NII ODAMETEY I

(CHAIRMAN)



2. NII ASHIFLA OKUDZENMANI

(MEMBER)



3. NII OGBAMEY ANKONAM I

(MEMBER)



4. Vincent D.T. Nartey, Registrar/Recorder (Member)














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