The paramount chiefs of the Talensi and Builsa traditional areas have taken legal action to stop the swearing-in of Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, the paramount chief of Chiana, as the president-elect of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs.
In a motion filed at the Bolgatanga High Court, the paramount chief of Talensi, Tongraan Kugbilsong-Nanlebegtang, and the paramount chief of the Builsa Traditional Council, Nab Azagsuk Azantilow, are requesting an interlocutory injunction to stop Pe Ayagitam from “holding himself as the President-elect” and from participating in any swearing-in ceremony.
The chiefs are also seeking to restrain the registrar of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs from facilitating any ceremony or inviting a legal officer to swear in Pe Ayagitam.
The plaintiffs argue that the election of the first defendant, Pe Ayagitam, violates an agreement reached by the House in 2001, which established a rotational system for electing the President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs.
“Members of the House decided to divide all members into three groups, and on the 7th of September 2004, through its Standing Committee, unanimously resolved to continue the rotational system agreed upon in 2001 for selecting the President,” the chiefs stated in their motion, citing the election of Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II (Bawku Naba) as the first beneficiary of this arrangement.
The chiefs contend that bypassing this rotational system undermines the peace and unity of the House. As such, they are requesting that the court declare the election of Pe Ayagitam as null and void.
In their legal submission, the plaintiffs are seeking the following reliefs:
- A declaration that the election held on the 16th of September 2024, which resulted in the selection of Pe Ayagitam as President-elect of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, is “null and void and of no legal effect.”
- An order from the Honourable Court to set aside the election, arguing that it contradicts the established practice of the House.
- An interlocutory injunction to restrain Pe Ayagitam from holding himself as President-elect, and to prevent the Registrar from submitting the election results to the National House of Chiefs until the case is resolved.
- A perpetual injunction to stop any unilateral changes to the rotational system for electing a President to represent the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs at the National House of Chiefs.
- Costs, including solicitor’s fees.
The chiefs believe that following the agreed rotational system is crucial for maintaining unity within the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs. The case has now been brought before the Bolgatanga High Court for resolution.
Reporting by Mark Smith, Upper East Region
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