[ 2015-01-19 ]

Chieftaincy dispute leaves one dead at Akyem Swedru
One man has been lynched, while six others have
sustained serious injuries, at Akyem Swedru as a
result of a chieftaincy dispute between the
factions of the Omanhene of the Akyem Bosome
Traditional Area and the queenmother of the area.

The deceased, Samuel Yankey, alias Nyameke, a
palmwine tapper, was the branch chairman of the
National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the
Akyem-Swedru-Asramase area.

The injured, who are on admission at the Akyem
Swedru Government Hospital, are yet to be
identified.

The stone-throwing mob, who attacked policemen on
duty, damaged two police patrol vehicles.

They set part of the Omanhene’s palace ablaze,
completely destroying documents and equipment,
including files and computers at the office of the
registrar of the Akyem Swedru Traditional
Council.

Briefing the Daily Graphic on the incident at
Akyem Swedru, the Oda Divisional Police Commander,
Chief Superintendent James Sarfo-Peprah, said at
dawn yesterday the police had information that a
mob, led by the Asafoatse of the Akyem Swedru
Traditional Area, Nana Kofi Sintim, had besieged
the Omanhene’s palace at Akyem Swedru.

He said the Omanhene, Okotwasuo Kantamanto Oworae
Agyekum, and his elders were in the palace pouring
libation for the Akwasidae celebration when the
mob attacked them with stones.

He stated that the mob overpowered the 10
policemen who were at the palace to maintain law
and order and set part of the palace ablaze.

Reinforcement
Later, the police called for reinforcement from
Oda, Akwatia, Asamankese and the Jungle Welfare
School at Akyem Achiase to contain the situation.

“The mob was not deterred by the heavy
police/military presence and attacked the security
personnel with stones,” Chief Supt Sarfo-Peprah
stated.

He said the mob smashed the windscreens of two
police patrol vehicles.

Arrest
Meanwhile, the police have arrested and detained
14 people to assist in investigations, while the
body of Yankey has been deposited at the morgue of
the Oda Government Hospital.

In an interview, the Medical Superintendent of the
hospital, Dr Kwabena Wiredu, said Yankey died as a
result of head injuries he sustained from the
assault.

Source - Daily Graphic

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