Source: Africa Publicity
The Chief of Oblieman (Dodoo Near Opah) and Chairman of the Abola Piam Royal Council, Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka, has petitioned the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and the General Legal Council of Ghana over what he describes as the unlawful execution of a substituted service order, intimidation by armed men and the desecration of the Oblieman Palace.
The petition, dated July 6, 2026, accuses Nii Addey Tackie Oblie, some court bailiffs and certain legal practitioners of abusing court processes by serving substituted service documents on properties and public buildings that were allegedly not covered by the court’s order.
According to the petition, the Zola Family, of which Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka is a member, were defendants in Suit No. IRL 234/09, Emmanuel Nii Dodoo v. Ibrahim Nii Adu Tackie Oblie & Others, in which judgment was entered in their favour.
He explained that although the court granted substituted service in a separate case involving Ibrahim Adu Tackie Oblie and Emmanuel Nii Dodoo (substituted by Eric Dodoo) and 48 others, the order specifically directed that the notices be pasted on buildings belonging to the 48 persons named in the proceedings.
The Chief maintained that neither he, the Oblieman Palace nor the elders of the community were parties to that case.
According to him, despite the clear terms of the court order, the substituted service notices have allegedly been pasted on buildings and properties belonging to people who are not judgment debtors and whose names do not appear in the substituted service order.
He further alleged that the Oblieman Palace, which serves as the traditional seat of authority in the community, was among the places where the documents were pasted.
Describing the development as deeply offensive, Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka said the alleged actions amount to a direct attack on the customs, traditions and chieftaincy institution of Oblieman.
“The Oblieman Palace is not a party to the suit or the court proceedings. Pasting court documents on the palace is not only unlawful but also a desecration of a revered traditional institution,” he stated.
The Chief further claimed that the bailiffs were accompanied by masked and armed men, creating fear and panic within the community.
He alleged that the presence of the armed individuals was intended to intimidate residents and discourage anyone from questioning the execution of the court process.
According to the petition, the substituted service order clearly stated that the documents were to be pasted on buildings located at Sapeiman and Pobiman and not within the Oblieman community.
He stressed that Oblieman, also known as Dodoo Near Opah, is a different locality and hosts one of the largest police residential enclaves in Ghana, making the alleged execution of the court order in the area even more surprising.
Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka also referenced Suit No. LD/0881/2017, Nana Yaw Boakye v. Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka, in which he said the court affirmed that the individuals involved had no legal authority over the disputed community lands.
He further disclosed that the Abola Piam Royal Council has already initiated fresh legal proceedings in Suit No. EI/AHC/228/2025 to restrain the alleged unlawful activities.
The petition accuses the respondents of contempt of court, professional misconduct, abuse of legal process, criminal intimidation, harassment of innocent property owners and disregard for an existing court judgment.
“The law is sacred, just as our traditional institutions are sacred. No individual or group should use court papers and armed men to terrorise an entire community,” the Chief said.
As part of the petition, the Abola Piam Royal Council is asking the Attorney-General’s Department to investigate the matter and prosecute all persons found to have abused the court process.
In addition, the petition calls on the General Legal Council to investigate and institute disciplinary proceedings against any lawyer found to have participated in or facilitated the alleged abuse of the legal process.
The Council further appealed to the Attorney-General’s Department to advise the courts on the alleged contemptuous conduct, take steps to safeguard traditional institutions from similar occurrences and take judicial notice of the pending Suit No. EI/AHC/228/2025.
The petitioners have also requested that the two state institutions respond within 14 days, outlining the actions taken on the issues raised.
Supporting documents attached to the petition include certified copies of judgments in Suit Nos. IRL 234/09 and LD/0881/2017, the substituted service order, a copy of the writ in Suit No. EI/AHC/228/2025, as well as photographic and video evidence of the alleged postings, including images of the Oblieman Palace.
Nii Ayitey Anumle Oyanka expressed confidence that the relevant authorities would investigate the allegations thoroughly and take the necessary steps to uphold the rule of law, protect traditional institutions and ensure that justice is served.
