The Agbawe Divisional Council has denounced Michael Okpoti Kodia popularly known as Nii Gyata, described by the Council as a self-acclaimed chief of Oyarifa, over alleged misconduct linked to the ongoing land dispute at the Amrahia Dairy Farm area in Oyarifa.
While making the announcement, the Council also annulled the caretaker and lead council responsibilities previously held by Nii Sowah Gas.
Speaking at a press conference on behalf of the Agbawe Akutsotse Chief, Nii Adjei Asua Oweeni II, a member of the Agbawe family, Mr. Francis Nii Kpobi, said the decision was taken after Nii Gyata allegedly refused to cooperate with a committee established to manage the release and protection of Agbawe family lands.
“He refused to cooperate with the team formed by the Council and instead acted in ways that undermined traditional authority and frustrated our efforts to protect communal property,” Mr. Kpobi stated.
He explained that the dispute arose after portions of land at the Amrahia Dairy Farm were released to the Agbawe Quarter through a Power of Attorney granted to Mrs. Rose Hamilton to facilitate the process.
“Despite being given the mandate to oversee and protect the lands, no comprehensive report was rendered, and we began to receive reports of encroachment and illegal land sales within the area,” he said.
Mr. Kpobi further alleged that Nii Gyata acted in concert with individuals involved in unauthorized land transactions and collaborated with people from adjoining towns.
“We have reason to believe he worked with some people from Kweiman, Damfa and Amrahia to challenge the Agbawe Quarter’s rightful claim to the land,” he added.
According to him, the Council considers these actions as a betrayal of trust and disrespect for established traditional authority.
“These acts amount to a betrayal of trust and a total disregard for the authority of Agbawe Traditional structures,” he stressed.
The Council also accused Nii Gyata and his associates of misrepresenting themselves before state institutions.
“They falsely presented themselves as the legitimate representatives of the Agbawe people before some government agencies. This is deceptive and an affront to the Agbawe Mantse and the Akutso,” Mr. Kpobi noted.
Announcing the Council’s administrative measures, he said direct control of the lands had been assumed by the traditional authority.
“The Agbawe Divisional Council has taken over the administration of the released lands and has begun redistributing them among the six recognized houses to prevent further losses and restore order,” he said.
Mr. Kpobi further disclosed that the caretaker role of Nii Sowah Gas had also been revoked.
“The mandate given to Nii Sowah Gas, who was acting as caretaker and lead council figure, has been formally annulled due to insubordination, failure to cooperate with Council-appointed teams and alleged association with illegal land sellers,” he added.
All efforts to reach Nii Gyata and Nii Sowah Gas for their comments were unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.
The Council has called on the public and government agencies to recognize and deal only with persons duly mandated by the Agbawe Traditional Council in matters relating to the disputed lands.
Source: Patrick Gyenin
