One of the chiefs involved in the Damongo chieftaincy tussle Damongowura Gbeadese I has lamented the destruction of his home with a passionate call on the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs to expedite justice in the wake of the violent clashes at Damongo last week Thursday to avoid more bloodshed.
Chief Yakubu Imoro Gbeadese appealed at a press conference organised in his house on Tuesday.
The house of Damongowura Yakubu Imoro Gbeadese I, who was enskinned by the late Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa I, was attacked in the evening of Thursday 5th March with heavy gunfire amidst a chieftaincy tussle between himself and his younger brother from the same Dangepe Royal Gate over the Damongo chieftaincy title (Damongowura).
The incident ensued after his younger brother who was also enskinned as a Damongowura by the current Yagbonwura Bekunutu Jewu Soale I, defied the warnings of the West Gonja Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) and went ahead to enskin his sub-chiefs for the Damongo Traditional Area.
Addressing the media at a press conference, the son of the chief recounted their losses.
“They set fire through the windows into Chief Yakubu’s room and some of his property including Smocks, 5 different sets of lace dresses, 2 different pairs of trousers, 3 pairs of sandals, 1 pair 2 sets of mosquito nets, burial cloth, 2 sets window curtains: 2 pairs books and other documents, one office desk. Got burnt as a result of the actions of the attackers.”
One of the young men who sustained injuries in the attack, Abdul Jalil said his attackers ambushed them in the bush with machetes and a hoe before ravaging the house with weapons when they returned home.
“I asked my friend to accompany me to the toilet and he took a hoe with him so he could get some herbs. Upon our arrival at the bush, we met Nuru and Zakiu who stopped us and quizzed us about what my colleague said when they brought a newly enskinned sub-chief to the house. My friend replied he didn’t say anything but they pounced on him and removed the stick of the hole. And when I also wanted to assist my friend they hit my face with the stick of the hoe. On our arrival home later we met Chief Sakara, Atooh, Adam who organised some boys to beat us. We bolted home but they attacked the house with weapons,” Abdul Jalil said.
The Kuntunkure Clan of the Damongo Traditional Area tasked to select the next chief chose Abuasewura Kelly as the successor upon the demise of the late Damongowura Lermu Jakpa Sulemana II.
The selection was contested at the Jakpa Palace before the then King Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa I and the Gonjaland Traditional Council who delivered justice in favor of the petitioner then Budamara Yakubu Imoro who assumed the name Damongowura Gbeadese I upon his enkinment.
But his younger brother then Abuasewura Kelly also petitioned the Northern Regional House of Chiefs with Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa I and Damongowura Gbeadese I as respondents but the case was transferred to the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs upon the creation of the region in 2019.
However, in an attempt to let peace reign, Damongowura Gbeadese I who was enskinned by the late Yagbonwura Tutumba Boresa I is calling on the regional house of chiefs to pass judgement on the chieftaincy case to avoid further clashes.
“The committee issued judgement notices for judgement to be delivered but the same could not happen on the scheduled dates. That is 27th January 2023 and 15th February 2023.
“We humbly want to find out from the counsel of the Savannah regional 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 must come out with clean hands. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Two people sustained gunshot wounds following the violence on Thursday 5th March but have since been discharged from the hospital.
The Ghana Police Service arrested three suspects and retrieved two guns and sixty rounds of live cartridges from the clashes.
By: Ibrahim Abode | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
