Kwaprahene Baffour Adugyemfu Kumani has been instructed to appear before Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II within two weeks over illegal sale of lands.
Years ago, Baffour Adugyemfu Kumani is said to have sold four plots of land to an individual in Kwaprah, where he serves as chief. The buyer obtained all the required documents for these four plots and then left for Australia, where he spent several years.
Upon his return, Nana Kwaprahene, the chief, claimed two of the four plots, asserting that he had been developing the land. He issued new documents for these two plots. Subsequently, the chief took legal action against the landowner to claim the remaining two plots.
In response, the landowner filed a formal traditional complaint against Kwaprahene during the Kumasi traditional council meeting, chaired by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on October 20, 2023, at Manhyia Palace. The case was related to a dispute over land and an alleged violation of the Great Asante Oath (Otumfuo Ntamkese).
There were also allegations of a double sale of lands. The landowner invoked Asantehene’s great oath, Otumfuo Ntamkese, against a private estate developer to prevent further development of the land. However, Kwaprahene instructed the estate developer to disregard the oath and proceed with the development, leading to the landowner’s formal complaint.
Due to this, he has been summoned. Failure to comply with this summons will result in the chief’s removal from office.
During a council session on October 20, 2023, the Asantehene accused the subchief of double-selling lands and violating the Great Asante Oath (Otumfuo Ntamkese). The final date for his appearance is expected to be on Friday, November 3, 2023, and he must present himself through the Akwamu division.
In a video shared by Opemsuo radio, a channel affiliated to Manhyia, a visibly angry Otumfuo states: “Kwaprahene knows why I’m looking for him. He knows I’m looking for him because of the land issue. That’s why he is dodging me with the excuse of sickness, he thinks he is smarter.
“Go and bring him. I will not take any excuse from him. When he was young he sold my land without giving me my money. I forgave him, you see the issue has returned to me’’ he stated.
On the deadline, the monarch stressed: “In two weeks, if he doesn’t show up, he should abdicate the throne and all the elders under him are also summarily sacked. Just two weeks, whatever his condition is, he should show up.
“And you the elders too, I have always cautioned you against his excesses and that you should caution him to change his ways (but you have failed),” he added.