The Abusuapanyin of the Anoo Royal Family of New Juaben, Yaw Asiedu Boadu, has dismissed allegations linking the Chief Executive Officer and owner of Capital View Hotel, Nana Dwomoh Brobbey, to the demolition of the Anoo Royal Family House and Palace in Koforidua.
He said Nana Dwomoh Brobbey had no hand whatsoever in the demolition, stressing that the exercise was the outcome of a court process he personally pursued and was executed by the appropriate state authorities.
The demolition, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, has sparked anger and tension among members of the Anoo Royal Family and occupants of the property, particularly because it coincided with preparations for the funeral rites of the late Nana Kwame Amoh, the Annohene–Elect.
Armed police officers and court officials were present during the exercise to supervise the enforcement of the court order.
The timing of the demolition has become a major source of controversy, with some family members and occupants questioning why the exercise was carried out when funeral preparations were reportedly underway at the property.
Some affected family members alleged that drinks, alcoholic beverages and other items purchased for the funeral were destroyed in the process, while several occupants were displaced from the premises.
The development has triggered emotional reactions, with some occupants expressing anger, grief and frustration over what they described as the insensitive timing of the exercise. But speaking to journalists at a press conference on Sunday, Abusuapanyin Yaw Asiedu Boadu accepted responsibility for pursuing the legal process that culminated in the demolition.
He, however, strongly rejected attempts to associate Nana Dwomoh Brobbey or Capital View Hotel with the exercise. According to him, the demolition was carried out strictly in accordance with a court order and under the supervision of the police and court officials.
He urged members of the public to stop mentioning Nana Dwomoh Brobbey in connection with the demolition, insisting that the Capital View Hotel CEO was not behind the action.
The Abusuapanyin maintained that the appropriate legal procedures had been followed and that the state institutions responsible for enforcing the court’s directive had carried out the exercise.
Court battle over Anoo property
The latest development has brought renewed attention to the longstanding legal dispute over the ownership and administration of the Anoo, also spelt Anou, Royal Family property in New Juaben.
Court records indicate that the Koforidua High Court, in a judgment delivered on November 8, 2019, dealt with issues concerning the disputed family property and the leadership of the Anoo Family.
The case was brought by Abusuapanin Oteng Abrasamadu against Asiedu Buadu, Kwame Kissi and Twumasi Asante.
The plaintiff had sought, among other reliefs, a declaration that he was the Abusuapanin, or head, of the Anoo Family of New Juaben and that House No. OG/B17 belonged to his family.
However, the court held that the substantive issues raised in the action had already been determined in previous litigation.
Justice Gifty Dekyem held that the property, formerly identified as House No. C17, Koforidua, and subsequently numbered OG/B17, had already been adjudged to belong to the Anoo Oyoko Royal Family of New Juaben.
The court further determined that earlier judgments concerning the leadership of the family remained binding because they had not been set aside.
Res judicata
Justice Dekyem also invoked the legal principle of res judicata, which prevents parties from reopening matters that have already been conclusively determined by a competent court.
The court found that parties connected to the later action were privies to parties involved in the earlier litigation, making the doctrine applicable.
The judgment underscored the principle that litigation must eventually come to an end and that matters already conclusively determined by competent courts should not continually be reopened through fresh actions.
Funeral preparations disrupted
Despite the legal background to the dispute, the demolition has generated fresh tension within the Anoo Royal Family because of its timing. The affected property was reportedly being used in preparations for the funeral rites of the late Nana Kwame Amoh, the Annohene-Elect.
The destruction of items reportedly procured for the funeral and the displacement of occupants have added an emotional dimension to what is essentially a longstanding property and family leadership dispute.
Family members affected by the exercise have expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the demolition, while the Abusuapanyin has maintained that the enforcement of the court order was a lawful process and that responsibility for initiating the action rests with him.
He has consequently reiterated that Nana Dwomoh Brobbey and Capital View Hotel should not be dragged into the dispute, saying the hotel owner had no involvement in the demolition.
The incident is expected to continue attracting public attention as affected family members grapple with the consequences of the demolition and the disruption of funeral arrangements.
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