A High Court in the Upper East regional capital Bolgatanga has rescinded an arrest warrant for the Nayiri of the Mamprugu traditional area, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, and his kingmakers.
The court had on Saturday, February 18 granted an ex-parte application by one Lieutenant Colonel Ajibadeck Benjamin Baba (Retd) for the arrest of the paramount chief.
The said arrest warrant was in connection with the purported enskinment of a new chief for Bawku on February 15 which government described as unlawful and condemned same.
Read also: Government orders the arrest of new ‘Bawku Naba’
In carrying through the warrant, some armed soldiers on Sunday night stormed Nalerigu to effect the arrest of the paramount chief and the newly enskinned Bawku Naba, but were fiercely resisted by the youth of the town, and the soldiers retreated.
This led to a violent protest by the youth of Nalerigu and Walewale in the North East region who burnt lorry tyres amidst chanting of war songs to drum home their anger.
But the High Court upon a motion ex-parte heard on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, for the variation of the arrest warrant withdrew the order.
“It is hereby ordered that warrant of arrest issued for the arrest of Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga (Paramount Chief of Mamprugu Traditional Area and his king makers is hereby rescinded under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court,” the court presided over by His Lordship Alexander Graham ordered.
The King of the Mamprugu Traditional area, Naa Bohugu Mahami I, on Wednesday, February 15 reportedly enskinned Alhaji Seidu Abagre as the new chief for Bawku at the Nayiri Palace in Nalerigu.
But government declared the installation as null and void, and ordered the arrest of anyone who holds himself up as a parallel Bawku Naba.
“Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is the Bawku Naba, duly gazetted and a member of the National and Upper East Regional Houses of Chiefs,” government’s statement said.
Read also: Attempt to arrest new Bawku Naba failed as soldiers retreat after clashing with Nalerigu youth