Chief Imoro Seidu Yakubu Gbeadese who is laying claim to the Damongo Chieftency Skin of Gonja has registered his displeasure on what he said is the “brutal attack by some hooligans from the faction of Abuasewura Kelly on the family and some supporters of Damongowura Yakubu Imoro Gbeadese, on Thursday, 7th March, 2024 in the Damongo chieftaincy matter which has become a monster on our neck”.
Speaking to the media on 12th March, 2024, Mr Yakubu Tahiru Prince who is the Spokes person and Secretary to Chief Yakubu Imoro Gbeadese said; “That attack happened as a result of the disregard Abuasewura Kelly has for the Ban on any form of enskinment within the Damongo Traditional Area Instituted by the Municipal Security Council of the West Gonja District Assembly.
He said during the attack three young men sustained gun-short injuries fired by One Seidu Abulai aka uncle Seidu wielding a pump-action gun, three others sustain various degrees of injuries from a mob attack lead by Chief Sakara Jakpa, Aatooh and Adam Issifu Demkeri and that some of the attackers ( Awudu Salifu Soldier, Dabu) broke the sliding window glasses and louver blades and they set fire through the windows into chief Yakubu’s room and some of his property got burnt as a result of the actions of the attackers.
Mr Yakubu Tahiru Prince explained that the Damongo chieftaincy litigation started in April, 2016 after a Gonja Traditional Council meeting presided over by His Royal Majesty, Yagbonwura Jakpa Sulemana Tuntumba I of blessed memory, pronounced Budamawura Yakubu Imoro as the new successor of late Damongowura Lermu Jakpa Sulemana Tuntumba (II).
He said this decision was in fulfilment of the provisions of the constitution of the Gonja Kingdom which clearly states in paragraph 31 that, if there are “contesting candidates, the matter is reported to the Yagbonwura by the senior elder either in person or through a representative.”
He further said, subject to the provision three senior chiefs; Kurasewura Yakubu Mahama, Budamawura Yakubu Imoro and Banwura Buah John Gbolo
all from Dangepe Royal Gate reported the misappropriation and misplacement of power and precedence by the Kuntunkure Clan to choose a candidate for the next gate in line of succession after the demise of Damongowura Tuntumba (II).
Yakubu Tahiru Prince added that Yagbonwura Tuntumba in his own wisdom, summoned the Gonja Traditional Council to determine the matter on the 21st April 2016. This decision also fulfils paragraph 34 of the Gonja Constitution.
“where there are two or more contestants to the vacant skins, the Traditional Council shall be summoned to determine the matter”.
He said; “judgement was given in favour of the then Budamawura Yakubu Imoro, now Damongowura Gbeadese I in accordance to paragraph 35 of the Gonja Constitution”.
The Spokesperson and Secretary to Chief Yakubu Imoro Gbeadese added that the Damongo skin has been under litigation for the past eight years.
He said; “Abuasewura Kelly purported as Damongowura petitioned the Northern Region House of chiefs against the Yagbon Skin presiding over by Yagbonwura Tuntumba I as the first Respondent and Damongowura Gbeadese I as Budamawura being the second respondent”.
Mr Yakubu Tahiru Prince further said the matter was transferred to the Savannah Region House of Chiefs after the region was created in 2019 and that; “A Judicial Committee of competent jurisdiction was constituted to handle the matter and both the Petitioner and respondents filed their witness statements with the court”.
He said both petitioner and respondent presented their evidence in court and the Lawyers for both petitioner and respondents cross examined all witnesses to the case and closed their cases.
Mr Yakubu Tahiru Prince added; “I want to put on record that, the case is finish pending judgement.
The committee issued judgement notices for judgement to be delivered but same could not happened on the scheduled dates. That is 27th January 2023 and 15th February 2023″.
He said; “We humbly want to find out from the counsel of the Savannah Region House of Chiefs what is holding the judgement and it cannot be delivered. He should come out clear. As the saying goes, He who seeks for equity most come out with clean hands. Justice delayed is justice denied”.
Source: nkilgifmonline.com
