By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Big Ada, Feb. 19, GNA-The Judicial Committee of the Ada Traditional Council (ATC) has struck out two consolidated suits in the Kudjragbe Divisional Chief (Wetsoyi) chieftaincy dispute, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked the legal capacity under customary law to institute the actions.
The ruling, was delivered on January 5, 2026, at the Council Hall in Big Ada, while the written document was released on February 16, 2026, following the consolidation of two suits, both concerning the rightful occupant of the Wetsoyi stool after the demise of the late incumbent in April 2025.
The dispute arose following the death of the former Wetsoyi in April 2025, which led to competing claims by four factions within the Fuvier section of the Kudjragbe clan.
The factions were led by Emmanuel Ofoe, Numo Lawrence Larweh Ofoe, Numo Francis Teye Apeyesi, and Ebenezer Narh Kwesi Domeh.
Each faction claimed legitimacy in the installation of the new Divisional Chief.
The Judicial Committee consolidated the suits to ensure a unified determination on who had the lawful capacity to challenge the installation of the Wetsoyi.
In a motion, Ebenezer Narh Kwesi Domeh challenged the capacity of the other petitioners to bring the action, arguing that they did not possess the requisite customary authority to invoke the jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee.
They submitted documentary evidence, including: An indenture dated November 22, 2021, confirming Nomo Agidi Nyasor as head of the Wornor Wem Fuvier Gate.
A letter dated June 29, 2015, from the Kudjragbe Divisional Council confirmed the stool father of the Wornor Wem family and contended that Wornor Apeyesi III was not a kingmaker as claimed, Solomon Ofoe Senedzu was not the stool father, and Emmanuel Ofoe was not head of the Wornor Wem family.
The Committee narrowed the central issue to capacity — specifically, who has the lawful authority under Ada customary law to institute an action challenging the installation of a Divisional Chief.
The Committee examined three key traditional offices, including the Stool Father, Head of Family, and Wornor (Priest).
After evaluating the documentary evidence and interrogating representatives of the factions, the Committee found that the rightful Stool Father is Nomo Teye Tsatsu, and the incumbent Head of Family is Nomo Agidi Nyasor.
The Committee noted that conflicting claims regarding the Stool Father and Head of Family were either unsupported by documentary evidence or contradicted by prior records.
It cited established legal principles that capacity is fundamental and can be raised at any stage of proceedings, referencing chieftaincy regulations (L.I. 798, Section 4(2)), which require that a writ clearly state the full name of the plaintiff and the capacity in which the action is brought.
The Committee concluded that the plaintiffs in both suits failed to demonstrate that they had the proper customary authority—as stool father or lawful kingmakers—to institute the actions.
In its unanimous decision, the Judicial Committee ruled that Numo Lawrence Larweh Ofoe and three others do not have the capacity to invoke the jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee to institute an action against Ebenezer Narh Kwesi Domeh and five others; Wornor Apeyesi III and two others also do not have the capacity to institute an action against Kwasi Domeh.
Accordingly, the petitions were struck out in their entirety for want of capacity.
The ruling was signed by Nene Agudey Obichere III – Chairman of the Judicial Committee, Nene Okumko Obuapong IV – Member, and Nene Tetteh Lanuer Okumo IV – Member. Mr Ebenezer Mettle-Nunoo, Registrar/Recorder, Ada Traditional Council, certified the ruling.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/George-Ramsey Benamba