By Paul Mamattah
The Nii Odoi Kwao family of Osu and the allodial owners of Akanetso lands in the Greater Accra region, have expressed concern over the growing unrest and lawlessness at Nima in the Ayawaso East Municipality, describing it as the annexation of legitimate authority by rogue elements and criminal gangs in the community.
Nii Odoi Kwao family, the legitimate owners of Nima worries follows a series of alarming events, particularly concerning the actions of one Alhaji Saini Fari, who has been parading himself as “Nii Futa” and claiming illegitimate powers over the Nima lands.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, the head of the Nii Odoi Kwao family, Nii Odoi Kwa II, strongly condemned the unlawful attempts by certain individuals to usurp the family’s ancestral rights and interests in the Nima community.
He revealed that Alhaji Fari, with the aid of certain dissident members of the political and security class in Nima, has been attempting to divest the family of their legitimate financial and communal interests.
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“This Charlatan, with the aid of certain dissident members of the political and security class in Nima and the Nima Divisional Command of the Ghana Police Service, has sought to trample on the rights and legitimate interests of our family and its members,” Nii Odoi Kwao II, stated.
The head of the Nii Odoi Kwao family stressed that in an attempt to muffle the sounds of the family’s discontent and prevent exposure of his illegitimacy, Alhaji Fari initiated a suit at the Land Division of the High Court on June 30, 2023, with suit number LD/0512/2023 against the Nii Odoi Kwao family.
The suit demanded a declaration that Alhaji Fari is the sole and rightful person the defendant can deal with in respect of Nima lands and the performance of the customary rites attached to the said lands.
Nii Odoi Kwao II, emphasized that this suit was an unsuccessful attempt to undermine the family’s customary rights, asserting, “This is the only legal action Alhaji Saini Fari has initiated against our family, and there has been no motion moved for or against either party.”
Referring to unfortunate event’s violent incidents in Nima on August 29, 2023, he recounted how Police personnel were captured on video assisting criminals and illegitimate actors to assault members of the Nii Odoi Kwao family as they observed a yearly cultural event on their allodial property.
The family head expressed disappointment over the misrepresentation of their cultural practices to the Police, particularly regarding their planned annual cultural rites, stating that they have deferred certain activities to prioritize the safety and welfare of their community members and combat ongoing lawlessness and articulated the family’s commitment to preserving their cultural heritage and addressing ongoing disputes regarding their ancestral lands in Nima.
Nii Odoi Kwao II, stated that on August 1 2024, the family formally submitted a letter to the Inspector General of Police, invoking their constitutional right of assembly as outlined in the Public Order Act 491.
He emphasized the importance of this cultural practice, which has been celebrated peacefully in Nima for generations expressing concern over the actions of Alhaji Saini Farl and his affiliates, whom he accused of misrepresenting the family’s intentions to local law enforcement.
Nii Odoi Kwao II, reassured the residents of Nima that the family is committed to rectifying the situation, announcing legal proceedings initiated on July 1, 2024, that aim to declare Alhaji Fari’s installation as Chief of Nima null and void pending legitimate family sanction.
“The recent misrepresentation of our cultural practices by Alhaji Farl and his cohorts is an affront to our heritage and a deliberate attempt to distort the truth. We are a law-abiding family, prioritizing the health and welfare of our community in Nima. We refuse to provide a platform for lawlessness and violence, which has plagued our ancestral lands.” Nii Odoi Kwao II stated.
He revealed that the family had chosen to defer the sprinkling of Kpokpoi in Nima to avoid confrontation, stating, “We have decided to lose this battle to win the war. Our goal is to cleanse Nima of the filth that has hindered our community’s growth and prosperity, particularly the extortionist practices associated with Alhaji Farl.”
The head of the Nii Odoi family also announced that they had initiated legal proceedings against Alhaji Saini Farl, seeking a declaration from the High Court that his purported installation as chief of Nima is null and void.
The suit, filed on July 1, 2024, aims to reaffirm the family’s rightful claim to leadership in the community.
“Our family is committed to working diligently to restore peace, order, and integrity in Nima,” Nii Odoi Kwao II assured residents. “We stand firm in our resolve to defend our birthright and protect the interests of our community.
Together, we will rid Nima of lawlessness, extortion, and corruption.”
The head of the Nii Odoi family stressed their dedication to defending their birthright and the motto “Okura Adea Yengye” which translates to “We defend our heritage to the end.
“Residents of Nima can rest assured that the Nii Odoi family is working tirelessly to protect their interests and reclaim the peace and prosperity of their ancestral lands”. He added.
