The chieftaincy dispute in the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area has taken a legal turn as the embattled Paramount Chief, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, has sued his nephew, Egya Ackah Berenger Flanton, now Awulae Blay IX.
According to a writ filed at the Sekondi High Court, the Claimant and the Paramount Queen Mother have been cited for unlawfully taking possession of the plaintiff’s palace and obstructing him from performing his traditional duties as the gazetted Paramount Chief of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council.
The suit, filed by Lawyer John Mercer of Bankole Chambers on behalf of Awulae Kpanyinli III, alleges that between January 13 and 14, 2025, the defendants falsely claimed to have destooled the chief and subsequently mobilised a group of men to invade and ransack the Atuabo Omanhene’s Palace.
The statement of claim indicates that the group allegedly destroyed and looted personal belongings, including sacred stool regalia and other valuables kept within the palace.
Awulae Kpanyinli III contends that since the unlawful invasion, the defendants and their associates have occupied the palace, his official residence, effectively preventing him from performing both his customary and statutory functions as Paramount Chief. He further alleges that he has suffered physical intimidation and attacks, making it impossible for him to discharge his traditional responsibilities.
In his reliefs, the plaintiff seeks:
- An order compelling the defendants and their associates to vacate the Atuabo Omanhene’s Palace and restraining them from interfering with his occupation and duties.
- Damages for the destruction of properties belonging to him and the palace.
- A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, and cronies from celebrating the 2025 Kundum Festival or performing any traditional functions associated with the Paramount Stool.
Additionally, Awulae Kpanyinli III has filed a motion for interlocutory injunction to bar the defendants from occupying the palace or organizing the Kundum Festival pending the final determination of the case.
With service now effected, the defendants are expected to enter appearance and file their defence as required by court procedure. The case, filed on October 20, 2025, is scheduled to be heard at the Sekondi High Court.
In a related development, the destoolment petition filed against Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III by the Paramount Queen Mother, who is also a respondent in the injunction application, has been discontinued.
Her lawyer, Emmanuel Berkeley, officially informed the committee of the Western Regional House of Chiefs (WRHC), chaired by Obrempong Hima Dekyi, Omanhene of Upper Dixcove, about the withdrawal.
The WRHC committee is yet to make a pronouncement on the Queen Mother’s withdrawal and is also expected to rule on a separate motion seeking to restrain Awulae Blay IX from holding himself out as the Omanhene of Atuabo.