Cape Coast, May 9th, 2023: The Cape Coast High Court has delivered a verdict today, Tuesday, 9th May 2023, imposing a fine of GH¢6,000 each on the Chief of Kwaprow, Nana Kwesi Mensah III, and the Assemblyman of Kwaprow, Mr. John Kilson Mensah, for contempt of court.
In the event of default, the two individuals will serve three months each in prison. Additionally, they are required to sign a bond committing to good behavior for 18 months, as ordered by Her Ladyship Malike Awo Woanyah Dey J., who presided over the case.
“The contemptuous incident took place on October 11, 2022, when Nana Kwesi Mensah III and Mr. John Kilson Mensah forcibly entered the office of Solomon Faakye, Esq., the Head of Legal Affairs Office at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). They threatened Mr. Faakye with death, warning him against continuing his involvement in cases related to encroachment on UCC land by their community and themselves.”
Representing the applicants, Philip Young, Anastasia Asante, and Emmanuel Yaw Hukpatsi argued that the respondents’ actions, which aimed to disrupt the work of court officers, not only brought the reputation of the court into disrepute but were also contemptuous of the honorable Court itself.
“The encroachment issue revolves around the University of Cape Coast’s efforts, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, to legally regain possession of lands that were acquired by the institution. These lands, measuring over 400 acres, were acquired through Executive Instrument 13 of 1972. In January 2023, members of the UCC’s Governing Council conducted a visit to the encroached lands, where they witnessed firsthand the extent of the encroachment by private developers and individuals.”
To address the widespread encroachment on university lands, the Council resolved to take lawful steps to reclaim the encroached areas. This ongoing legal battle is part of the UCC’s commitment to safeguarding its properties and preventing the unauthorized sale of land to unsuspecting individuals.
“The conviction of the Chief and Assemblyman of Kwaprow for contempt serves as a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding the encroachment issue. The Cape Coast High Court’s verdict sends a strong message about the court’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all parties involved conduct themselves with due respect and adherence to legal processes.”
SOURCE:Â Coverghana.com.gh
