…Say court and chieftaincy cases still pending; caution police against aiding palace entry
Tension is rising in James Town as kingmakers of the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area have warned chieftaincy claimant Asharku Bruce Quaye not to attempt entry into the James Town Palace while legal disputes concerning his status remain unresolved.
At a press conference in the coastal community, the kingmakers said there are ongoing cases involving Bruce-Quaye at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs and before the Accra High Court.
According to them, any attempt by Bruce-Quaye to force entry into the palace while the cases are pending would amount to disrespect for both the traditional and judicial processes.
The elders also alleged that Bruce-Quaye is engaging police personnel through the Ghana Police Service, particularly at the Accra Regional Police Command, to facilitate his entry into the palace to assert authority as paramount chief.
The Asafoatsemei and the youth also allege that DCOP Obed Dziku,Second in Command at the Police Regional command is the one directly facilitating the entry of the Palace by Prince Aharku – Bruce Quaye. They also accuse him of unwarranted arrests and intimidations on their football parks for no apparent reason.
“We want to make it clear that the matter is before the courts and the Regional House of Chiefs. Any attempt to use security personnel to enter the palace will provoke resistance from the youth and elders,” one of the kingmakers warned.
The elders cautioned that the atmosphere in James Town is already tense due to the long-running dispute over the Ngleshie Alata Paramount Stool, and warned that any attempt to impose leadership could spark violent clashes in the community.
They further warned that forcing entry into the palace could lead to bloodshed, urging security agencies to remain neutral and allow due process to determine the rightful occupant of the stool.
According to them they have picked intelligence that Asharku Bruce Quaye is alleged to have hired landguards which he intends to use at the Palace, but the kingmakers have vowed to meet him boot for boot if he dares make that move.
The kingmakers also appealed to residents of James Town to remain calm and law-abiding while the traditional and judicial authorities resolve the matter.
The Ngleshie Alata chieftaincy dispute has lingered for several years, with factions within the community divided over who is the legitimate heir to the paramount stool.
They urge the Inspectort General of Police(IGP) to call him to order , otherwise he should be held responsible if anything untoward happens at James Town and therefore he should ensure that the right things are done to prevent any outbreak of violence in the area.