All the destooled chiefs were tried by a jury before Asantehene gave his verdict – Manhyia Palace Historian

According to Osei-Bonsu Sarfo-Kantanka, a monarchical historian working at the Manhyia Palace, all five of the sub-chiefs who were dethroned by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II were tried by a jury that was created by the Asantehene. This information was provided by Mr. Sarfo-Kantanka.

He explained that the verdict that the Asantehene rendered was based on the decision of the jury.

He explained that the chieftaincy institution is governed by a set of norms and regulations, which it is required for all participants in the sector to adhere to.

According to him, the Asantehen is the highest order in the hierarchy of the Asante Kingdom and has the authority to dethrone any sub-chief who has been guilty of wrongdoing. He also has the responsibility of ensuring that the kingdom's traditions are preserved.

The Asantehen has dethroned five chiefs so far in 2023 for a variety of causes, including the chiefs' abandoning of their stools, unlawful small-scale mining (galamsey), and land disputes.

Safo Kantanak provided the following explanation: "The Chieftaincy institution has its own way of life; the institution has its own rules and regulations in line with culture and tradition; just like any other institution, the Chieftaincy institution has its own rules and regulations; and therefore, if you go against the rules and regulations in one with culture, then, of course, you have to be penalized for doing the wrong thing."

"It is a hierarchy, and the Asantehene, who is at the topmost level of the chiefs within the Asante man community, is the highest order within the Ashanti community."

He continued by saying, "All five there were destooled within the state of about five months were all tried, which means that all of the Kumasi Abrempon, second-in-command to Omanhene sat on their case just like a case is being tried in court by a jury, it was a jury-kind of trial but when they all come to a consensus and what the chief did was bad, then the Asantehene will give the trial verdict."