Bolgatanga High Court Rescinds Arrest Warrant Against Nayiri
The High Court in Bolgatanga has rescinded its arrest warrant against the paramount Chief of Mamprugu Traditional Area, (Nayiri) Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah II.
The arrest warrant was issued last Friday by the court in accordance with Section 71 of the Criminal and other offences procedures ACT 1960 (ACT 30).
It also covered his kingmakers and the “illegally” installed chief of Bawku, Alhaji Seidu Abagre.
“Upon hearing the affidavit of Lieutenant Colonel Ajibadeck Benjamin Baba (Retired) for an Order of Motion Ex-parte for warrant arrest and upon hearing Mrs Joyce Deborah (Principal State Attorney), Priscilla Lartey and Kofi Hartford (Assistant State Attorneys) for the Applicant, it is hereby ordered that Warrant arrest is issued for the arrest of Alhaji Seidu Abagre: (Kulga II) Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga (Paramount Chief of Mamprugu Traditional Area and his Kingmakers)”, the warrant on February 18 read.
The arrest warrant was issued following the purported installation of Alhaji Seidu Abagre as the Bawku Naba at Nareligu on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, despite an already existing and legally recognised Bawku Naba- Naba Abugrago Azoka II.
The action of the Nayiri was condemned by the government and some Members of Parliament from the Upper East region as illegal and a threat to national security.
On February 21, 2023, the Bolgatanga High Court withdrew the arrest warrant.
“It is hereby ordered that the Warrant of Arrest issued for the arrest of Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga (Paramount Chief of Mamprugu Traditional Area) and his kingmakers is hereby rescinded under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court.”
This action by the court followed a failed attempt to arrest the Nayiri on February 19 night.
It is reported that some angry youth of Nalerigu resisted the security personnel.
The Vice-president in charge of research at IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Bright Simons, had earlier alluded to the unfeasible arrest of the Nayiri.
“Whilst no one is above the criminal law, with the arguable exception of the President, the Nayiri is the “elder” spiritual & aristocratic leader of the largest ethnic lineage in the North of Ghana (not just in Mamprusiland) so even the mere suggestion of his arrest is MOMENTOUS”, he said in a tweet reacting to the arrest warrant by the court.
Whilst no one is above the criminal law, with the arguable exception of the President, the Nayiri is the "elder" spiritual & aristocratic leader of the largest ethnic lineage in the North of Ghana (not just in Mamprusiland) so even the mere suggestion of his arrest is MOMENTOUS.
— Bright Simons (@BBSimons) February 20, 2023
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
