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 presenting himself as the chief of Adumasa in the Ashanti Region.
The court, presided over by Her Honour Hagar Addo, ordered Dr Asante to reappear on November 5, 2026. He is facing a charge of acting or performing the functions of a chief without the legal qualification to do so, contrary to Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759).
According to the prosecution, Dr Asante began holding himself out as the substantive chief on October 13, despite allegedly knowing that he was not qualified to occupy the position.
The case is linked to a dispute over the succession to the Adumasa stool following the death of the previous chief, Nana Yaw Oppong, in August 2026.
Police say the Omanhene of Juaben, Daasebre Nana Otuo Siriboe II, subsequently enstooled Nana Kwabena Yiadom as chief. However, Dr Asante and members of his family allegedly resisted his entry into the palace, claiming it had been built by their ancestor.
The disagreement reportedly escalated, with two police officers sustaining injuries during an incident involving stone-throwing.
On October 13, members of the Aduana clan allegedly enstooled Dr Asante and carried him through the principal streets of the town. Investigators say he has since presented himself as a rival chief, raising concerns about possible further clashes.
Dr Asante was arrested on October 28 as police sought to prevent renewed tension in the community. The prosecution told the court that he admitted in his caution statement that the Aduana clan had enstooled him.
