Adumasa Stool Litigation: KNUST Lecturer Remanded
A 63-year-old lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Cosmos Yaw Asante, has been remanded by the Kumawu Circuit Court for allegedly holding himself out as the substantive chief of Adumasa near Juaben in the Ashanti Region without being qualified to do so.
The accused, who is facing a charge of acting or performing the functions of a chief when not qualified, is expected to reappear before the court, presided over by Her Honour Hagar Addo, on November 5, 2026.
The prosecution, led by ASP Lloyd Baidoo, alleges that Dr Asante assumed the position of chief on October 13, 2026, despite the existence of Nana Kwabena Yiadom, the recognised substantive chief of Adumasa.
The charge is contrary to Section 63(a)(b) of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759).
According to the prosecution’s brief facts, the chieftaincy dispute followed the death of the late chief of Adumasa, Nana Yaw Oppong, after arrangements were made in August 2026 for his burial and the installation of a successor.
The prosecution said the Omanhene of the Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, who has oversight responsibility for the traditional area, subsequently enstooled Nana Kwabena Yiadom as the successor to the late chief.
However, members of the Aduana clan, led by their family head, Nana Appiah Kubi, allegedly resisted aspects of the succession process, resulting in tensions that required police intervention.
The police brief further indicated that the accused and members of his family allegedly prevented Nana Yiadom from entering the palace, claiming it had been built by their ancestral father.
The confrontation reportedly turned violent, with stones and other objects allegedly thrown at police officers, leaving two officers injured.
On October 13, 2026, members of the Aduana clan, led by Nana Appiah Kubi, allegedly enstooled Dr Asante as chief of Adumasa, notwithstanding the existence of Nana Yiadom as the recognised substantive chief.
The accused allegedly paraded himself through the principal streets of the community after the installation and continued to perform the functions of a chief.
According to the prosecution, his actions heightened tensions between his supporters and those of Nana Yiadom, raising fears of possible clashes in the community.
The police said Dr Asante was arrested on October 28, 2026, amid rising tensions, as part of efforts to safeguard lives and prevent possible bloodshed.
In his caution statement, the accused reportedly admitted that the Aduana clan had installed him as chief despite the existence of another chief in the town.
The prosecution also disclosed that a bench warrant had been issued by the Donyena Circuit Court on August 23, 2026, against one of the accused’s alleged supporters, Owusu Yaw Kaya, alias Toto, over a threat-of-harm complaint lodged by Nana Otuo Siriboe II.
The warrant had reportedly not been executed because the suspect had gone into hiding.
Police investigations into the chieftaincy dispute are ongoing.
