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16th December, 2011
Self-Styled Omanhene Convicted For Contempt Of Court
The Appeal Court, sitting in Cape Coast, by unanimous decision has convicted the self-styled Omanhene of Elmina, Nana Conduah VI, to a total fine of GH¢10,000 or in default spend 30 days in prison.
The three-member panel presided by Mr. Justice S.K. Marful-Sau on December 7 found the self-styled chief guilty of contempt of court and ordered that he must sign a bond or an undertaking within seven days of his conviction, to respect the orders of the High Court.
In 2000, a Cape Coast High Court presided over by Justice Mrs I.M. Heward-Mills, upon a previous application for an interim injunction, granted an order restraining Michael Conduah (name of the chief) from exercising all public functions as a chief “until his status has been fully and finally determined by the appropriate forum.”
In place of a custodial sentence, the High Court further ordered Michael Conduah to file and serve an undertaking within 48 hours, not to perform any public function as Omanhene and fined a total of GH¢750.
The High Court also ordered the disputing factions in the case to meet with the representatives of the Elmina Traditional Council to draw up a programme of action to enable the people of Elmina to celebrate the annual Bakatue festival but Michael Conduah blatantly disregarded the orders of the court.
In its ruling, the Appeal Court said: “We have taken notice of the repeated disobedience of Michael Conduah to the High Court of Justice in refusing to comply with the orders of the Court.”
The court of Appeal further stated that, “we take notice of the fact that Michael Conduah has been convicted on two different occasions for disobeying the orders of the High Court and for that matter the Superior Courts of Judicature as established by the 1992 Constitution”.
The three panel judges said, “we must put on record that we have decided to be lenient with Michael Conduah in view of the numerous plea of mitigation by his Counsel as well as other members of the Bar as we hope he will not give cause for his conduct to be brought up for sanctions in this appeal again”.
At the heart of the matter, however, lies a chieftaincy dispute whose resolution has been inordinately delayed. He is alleged to have unilaterally installed himself a chief.
Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, the “Times,” learnt that except the execution of the bond, Michael Conduah has mobilised funds to pay the fine.
The three-member panel presided by Mr. Justice S.K. Marful-Sau on December 7 found the self-styled chief guilty of contempt of court and ordered that he must sign a bond or an undertaking within seven days of his conviction, to respect the orders of the High Court.
In 2000, a Cape Coast High Court presided over by Justice Mrs I.M. Heward-Mills, upon a previous application for an interim injunction, granted an order restraining Michael Conduah (name of the chief) from exercising all public functions as a chief “until his status has been fully and finally determined by the appropriate forum.”
In place of a custodial sentence, the High Court further ordered Michael Conduah to file and serve an undertaking within 48 hours, not to perform any public function as Omanhene and fined a total of GH¢750.
The High Court also ordered the disputing factions in the case to meet with the representatives of the Elmina Traditional Council to draw up a programme of action to enable the people of Elmina to celebrate the annual Bakatue festival but Michael Conduah blatantly disregarded the orders of the court.
In its ruling, the Appeal Court said: “We have taken notice of the repeated disobedience of Michael Conduah to the High Court of Justice in refusing to comply with the orders of the Court.”
The court of Appeal further stated that, “we take notice of the fact that Michael Conduah has been convicted on two different occasions for disobeying the orders of the High Court and for that matter the Superior Courts of Judicature as established by the 1992 Constitution”.
The three panel judges said, “we must put on record that we have decided to be lenient with Michael Conduah in view of the numerous plea of mitigation by his Counsel as well as other members of the Bar as we hope he will not give cause for his conduct to be brought up for sanctions in this appeal again”.
At the heart of the matter, however, lies a chieftaincy dispute whose resolution has been inordinately delayed. He is alleged to have unilaterally installed himself a chief.
Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, the “Times,” learnt that except the execution of the bond, Michael Conduah has mobilised funds to pay the fine.
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