20/07/2023
Nii Odoi Kwao ii seeks to instigate disquiet in the Nima community reminiscent of the land dispute in the 1940’s
Full: press Conference
PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PEOPLE OF NIMA
Ladies and gentlemen of the press,
In the name of Allah, the compassionate and merciful.
I stand before you today on behalf of the chiefs and people of Nima to address you on a matter of great moment.
On the 12th of July 2023, we woke up to the news that, one Robert Koomson also known as Nii Odoi Kwao ii (Head of the Odoi kwao family) was in the process of installing one Abba Cheena as their representative in Nima and also as the chief of Nima. Later in the day, the said Abba Cheena Gimballa and his cohorts were seen driving through some streets of Nima shooting in the air ostensibly to announce his installation by Robert Koomson, also known as Nii Odoi Kwao to the surprise and chagrin of onlookers.
Ladies and gentlemen, we the good people of Nima are gravely concerned about the import of the actions of Robert Koomson and its probable consequence in the Nima community. We ardently believe that this action of Robert Koomson also known as Nii Odoi Kwao ii seeks to instigate disquiet in the Nima community reminiscent of the land dispute in the 1940’s. Our concern is further heightened by the fact that the said Abba Cheena Gimballa is a descendant of a member of the faction that took up arms against the Mallam Futa family in the fatal 1951 land dispute.
My chiefs, community leaders, our youths, ladies and gentlemen, it is perhaps time now to tell a little bit of history so as to keep you abreast with the history of Nima which is very necessary for the understanding of the situation.
In the very early 1930’s, Mallam Futa sought and acquired the land on which Nima currently stands by customary grant, according to custom and tradition prevailing at the time, from the Odoi Kwao family, so Mallam Futa family are customary grantees of Odoi kwao family of Christiansburg Osu, Accra. Mallam Futa and his followers thereafter built and settled on the land since the early 30’s.
Sometime in 1940’s, a faction of the settlers of Nima sought to make claim on the land against Mallam Futa family. This dispute came to a head in 1951 resulting in a bloody and fatal conflict in the Nima township with consequent protracted costly land litigation between Mallam Futa family and the Odoi Kwao family in the high court, Accra. The judgement of the high court dated 29th of June 1959 was appealed and the term of settlement adopted as the consent judgement of the court of appeal dated 11th May, 1970. This consent judgement has not been appealed against. The respective family of Mallam Futa and the Odoi Kwao agreed to settle their differences and collaborate with each other through their acknowledged representatives.
Nii Futa and the preceding head of the Mallam Futa Family, had been known to and acknowledged by the Nii Odoi Kwao Family and have performed their customary obligations to the Nii Odoi Kwao Family. Further, with all parties complying with the Consent Judgement of the Court of Appeal, there has been long standing peace between the families and the Nima Community.
It therefore comes as a shock and surprise to us all, that the new Odoi Kwao family would choose to ignore and abandon this appeals court consent judgement and seek to engage in an act that is aimed at destabilizing our community.
Ladies and gentlemen on July 5th 2003, the Mallam Futa family nominated and installed Alhaji Mohammed Saini Farl as chief of Nima with the support of the chiefs and the entire community of Nima at a ceremony in Nima which was graced by dignitaries including the then vice president, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the regional minister Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, ministers of state and members of parliament, in attendance was also the head and other members of the Odoi Kwao family.
Upon the death of his uncle Alhaji Ahmed Bashiru Futa, Nii Futa aka Alhaji Mohammed Saini Farl assumed the headship of his family in addition to his title as Nii Futa the chief of Nima.
We the people of Nima have lived with our chief and have organized our affairs together in peace and tranquility all these years.
We are therefore sending a stern warning to the head of the Odoi Kwao family and their surrogates that enough is enough, we will not entertain anymore insult and disrespect, and that it does not lie with them to choose chiefs or leaders for Nima.
We demand the immediate reversal of what they are purported to have done or face the wrath of Nima.
Thank you God bless you all.
Assalamualikum
