The Dominase Royal Family of Abesim, near Sunyani in the Bono Region, has destooled Barima Kumi Akyeaw III as Chief of Abesim, following a ruling by the Sunyani High Court.

The decision was announced at a media briefing at Abesim on Sunday by the Head of the royal family, Nana Agyei Saarah, who stated that the chief, known in private life as Kelvin Anane Addo, was improperly nominated, elected, and installed.

According to Nana Agyei Saarah, apart from the irregular installation process, the former chief engaged in several actions that brought the Abesim stool into disrepute.

The Sunyani High Court, presided over by Justice Nathan P. Yarney, delivered the ruling on March 25, 2025.

The court upheld that Barima Kumi Akyeaw III was invalidly en­stooled, citing a breach of custom­ary procedure.

The Court further noted that the nomination process, conducted by the Adehyepanin (Abakomahene), following the death of the Queen mother of Abesim, failed to follow due traditional process.

He emphasised that under Abesim stool custom- which forms part of the Kyidom Division of the Dormaa Traditional Council, the Abakoma­hene assumes the authority to nominate candidates in the absence of a Queen mother.

Three candidates—Christian, Kel­vin, and one Agyekum were report­edly nominated.

However, the court held that since there was a pending petition before the Judicial Committee of the Dormaa Traditional Council against Kelvin Anane Addo, it was inappropriate for the Dormaahene and his Divisional Chiefs to proceed with his nomination and installa­tion.

Justice Yarney ruled that any act, whether described as opinion, advice, or otherwise, that causes grievance to another, may be sub­ject to the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court.

 From Daniel Dzirasah, Abesim

 A 42-year-old man, Kwabena Otoo, narrow­ly escaped death on the dawn of Monday when residents of Assin Adubiase lynched him, having been accused of stealing 19 fowls and a dog.

“I heard the commotion from my house,” said a res­ident who wished to remain anonymous. “By the time I reached the scene, there was already a crowd surround­ing him. His pleas for mer­cy were drowned by angry voices.”

Otoo, bleeding profusely and severely injured, might have lost his life if not for a timely distress call to the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Command.

Officers arrived around 4am, pushing through the mob to rescue the battered man.

“We found him in criti­cal condition,” shared one responding officer. “Every minute counted in getting him medical attention.”

Now recovering at the Assin Fosu Polyclinic, Otoo suffered physical wounds but also faces uncertain future as investigations continue.

Medical staff report in­dicated that he suffered multiple injuries requiring immediate treatment.

Community members claim Otoo’s contradictory answers during questioning triggered their suspicions and subse­quent assault.

One witness explained that, “people here have lost too much to thieves… frus­tration has been building for months.”

The Police have confirmed Otoo is from neighbouring As­sin Odumase and are calling for anyone missing fowls or a dog to come forward as part of their investigation.

“This could have ended in tragedy,” warned a police spokesperson. “We under­stand community frustra­tions, but mob justice is never the answer. We urge citizens to report crimes rather than taking matters into their own hands.”

 From Kingsley E. Hope, Ku­masi