Mamprugu Traditional Council sues Jamong royals over rival chief’s enskinment in Bunkpurugu

The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, has filed an application at the High Court in Nalerigu seeking to have four people committed for contempt of court over the enskinment of a rival chief for Bunkpurugu in the North East Region.

The application, filed on October 14, accuses the four respondents of defying judicial processes by proceeding with the enskinment of Melchizedek Musah Jamung as Bunkpurugu chief on September 14, 2026, despite an ongoing legal dispute over the skin.

The Nayiri is asking the court to commit and punish the respondents for contempt under Order 50 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47).

The respondents are identified in the court documents as Melchizedek Musah Jamung, Nyani Yoagbat, Kpari Yennue and Elisha Naan.

The disputed enskinment follows a February 24, 2026, judgment by the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs, which recommended the removal of Alhaji Abuba Nasimong as chief of Bunkpurugu.

The Nayiri contends that the judgment recognised his authority as the sole traditional authority empowered to enskin a chief for Bunkpurugu.

He argues that the Bunkpurugu skin falls within the chieftaincy jurisdiction of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, over which the Nayiri exercises traditional authority.

Naa Bohagu maintains that the September 14 enskinment was therefore unlawful and contrary to the customs and practices governing the installation of a Bunkpurugu Naba.

Appeal pending at Supreme Court

Court documents indicate that an appeal against the Judicial Committee’s decision was filed at the Supreme Court on August 26, 2026.

The Nayiri further states that applications for a stay of execution of the judgment are pending before the National House of Chiefs at Manhyia in Kumasi.

According to the affidavit, the respondents were aware of the pending legal proceedings but proceeded with the enskinment regardless.

The Nayiri alleges that the respondents had earlier used social media to announce their intention to install a chief for Bunkpurugu despite warnings from the North East Regional Minister and the Regional Security Council to refrain from taking such action until the judicial processes were concluded.

The affidavit further states that the Regional Security Council subsequently applied for an injunction to restrain the respondents from proceeding with the installation.

Although the injunction was granted, it was later vacated following an application by counsel for the respondents, who reportedly raised concerns about procedural requirements and natural justice.

The Nayiri argues that the vacation of the injunction did not amount to judicial approval of the enskinment.

Nayiri warns of potential threat to peace

In his affidavit, the Nayiri alleges that the first respondent, Melchizedek Musah Jamung, allowed himself to be installed as a rival chief, while the second respondent, identified as the acting head of the Jamong family, allegedly nominated the candidate and participated in the installation process.

He further alleges that the third respondent, Kpari Yennue, permitted his residence to be used as the venue for the ceremony, while the fourth respondent, Elisha Naan, participated by placing a red hat on the head of the newly installed chief.

The Nayiri maintains that the installation was carried out without lawful authority and in disregard of the February judgment of the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs.

He warns that the development could undermine traditional authority and the administration of justice, with the potential to trigger communal conflict and endanger innocent lives.

The application is therefore seeking an order committing and punishing the respondents for contempt, arguing that such action would deter others from disregarding judicial processes.

Jamong family members flee to Togo as police hunt rival chief and six others

The Nayiri’s legal action comes amid an uneasy calm in Bunkpurugu and surrounding communities, with security operations intensified following clashes in August and September between members and supporters of the rival Jamong and Jafouk families.

According to police in the district, the September enskinment triggered violence in Bunkpurugu, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to four other people.

Police have since been searching for the rival chief and at least six other senior members of the Jamong royal family over the disputed installation, which authorities say was followed by loss of life, destruction of property and a breach of public order.

The rival chief and his alleged accomplices reportedly fled the town shortly after the enskinment and have yet to return.

Meanwhile, joint police and military teams are continuing operations to contain threats and prevent further violence, including reported destruction of farms and arson allegedly involving individuals from both factions.

Despite the security measures, dozens of Jamong family supporters are reportedly fleeing Bunkpurugu for communities across the border in neighbouring Togo.

A woman sighted crossing the border with two of her grandchildren told this reporter that she was taking the children to Yambour, a Togolese border community near Bunkpurugu, to join relatives.

“I am taking them to Yambour to join my people there. I no longer feel safe, and even the children are not safe, even in school,” she said.

Another member of the community confirmed that her entire family had relocated to Nakpanduri amid fears for their safety.

Also read:

• Mamprugu Traditional Council calls for probe into alleged abuses linked to Bawku conflict

• I’ll be fair and impartial in my duties – Ayariga assures Mamprugu Traditional Council