The High Court in Tarkwa has convicted five persons for contempt of court, after finding that they defied ongoing legal processes by outdooring a chief and queen mother for Daboase, while a chieftaincy case was still pending.
Her Ladyship Justice Mercy Adei Kotei, delivering a detailed ruling on Thursday, September 11, 2025 held that the respondents; Kweku Ekye, Tawiah Kakrabekaw, John Armoh, Florence Arkoh and SafoheneAhenakwa, wilfully engaged in acts that undermined the authority of the WassaFiase Traditional Council (WFTC) and the administration of justice.
The court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on each contemnor, with a default sentence of 30 days’ imprisonment.
A bench warrant was also issued for the arrest of the 1st respondent, who was absent in court.
Outdooring Ceremony Held Despite Pending Suit
The case was initiated on September 27, 2023 when the applicants; Obaahema Nana AmaAnimaa (later substituted by Kate Kwaw), Ebusuapanyin Cobbina and Ebusuapanyin Kofi sued before the WFTC to restrain the respondents and others from installing or presenting any individual as chief or queen mother of Daboase.
On the same day, the applicants also filed for an interlocutory injunction seeking to halt any such installations until the substantive matter was determined.
Although the respondents were duly served, the court found that, on March 1, 2024 they led a public procession and outdoored the 3rd and 4th respondents as chief and queen mother of Daboase.
Photographs and video recordings tendered in evidence captured the ceremony, including the presence of police personnel.
The applicants argued that the respondents’ actions amounted to a deliberate affront to the authority of the WFTC and an attempt to prejudice ongoing litigation.
Respondents Insist Ceremony Occurred Earlier
In opposing the contempt application, the respondents claimed the installation took place earlier on September 24, 2023 before the suit was filed. They tendered a police notification letter and a charge sheet relating to that earlier ceremony.
But the court rejected the explanation.
Justice AdeiKotei noted that: The digital details on video evidence clearly showed the recording was made on March 1, 2024 and that Police presence seen in the March 1 footage did not match the September 2023 event, where no police were officially informed or present.
The court also noted that the respondents did not dispute being participants in the event captured in the exhibits.
The judge concluded that the outdooring indeed took place during the pendency of the case and in direct disregard for the justice system.
Capacity Challenge Dismissed
The respondents also questioned the capacity of the substituted 1st applicant, arguing that the original applicant had been absent from public view for years and was believed dead.
However, the court noted that the original applicant died on June 15, 2024, with a mortuary chit and interrogatory answers confirming the date.
The substitute applicant acted under the deceased’s authority, and no challenge had been raised earlier before the WFTC.
The court also noted that a Power of Attorney was not a mandatory requirement for her substitution.
Justice Adei Kotei, therefore, upheld her capacity and proceeded to determine the contempt application on its merits.
Conduct Described as “Grave”
In concluding, the court stated that the respondents’ actions were intentional and aimed at undermining lawful processes.
“The Respondents intentionally engaged in conduct that tended to bring the administration of the law into disregard and disrepute,” the judge ruled.
They were accordingly convicted and sentenced, with the court signalling strong disapproval of acts that interfere with pending judicial or traditional adjudications.
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