The Asantehene (M) directed the Tepahene to ensure that the deity is returned to its rightful place
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, issued a stern reprimand to some royals of Agona who appeared before the Asanteman Council on Monday, July 28, 2025, to seek his forgiveness.
According to opemsuo.com, the Agona royals, who channeled their plea through Tepahene Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem, are seeking pardon over lawsuits filed against the Asantehene nearly two decades ago by their late uncle.
The lawsuits, which the Agona royals ultimately lost, were filed at the High Court, Court of Appeal, and later the Supreme Court.
The legal battle stemmed from an investigation by the Asantehene that concluded the then-reigning queen was not of royal blood.
The royals now seek the king’s forgiveness to allow the installation of a new chief to the Agona stool, which has remained vacant since the death of Agonahene Nana Frimpong Anokye Ababio in 2022.
Before the Asantehene delivered his verdict on the plea, his paramount chiefs debated the matter.
While some advocated for forgiveness, others argued the royals deserved to be punished.
Juabenhene Nana Otuo Sereboe II was among the chiefs who pleaded on their behalf.
“They are descendants of Komfo Anokye. It is a spiritual matter we are talking about here. If we decide to send away everyone who errs, Asante won’t continue to be Asante. The plea was also brought through Tepa Barnie, another great Asante deity, so let’s just punish them and not cut them off,” Nana Otuo Sereboe II said.
However, another paramount chief dissented, warning that granting forgiveness might encourage others to defy royal authority.
“If we decide to forgive them, where will the deterring factor be? You take the Asantehene to court. Why didn’t you advise your uncle against his action? And even after his action, why have you waited all this while to now bring a plea?” the chief queried.
The Asantehene, who reportedly described the Agona royals as “ingrates,” said he had personally warned their uncle, Owusu Afriyie, about the consequences of his actions, but his advice was ignored.
“I sent him a message and warned him about the repercussions of his actions. I told him, of all people, the descendants of Komfo Anokye are the least I expected this from. You are all aware of how he ended up,” the Asantehene stated.
Compounding the situation, the royals were also accused of seizing the sacred Amoampong deity and keeping it from the enstooled chief.
The king insisted that the deity must be returned before their apology could be considered.
“You have erred. You haven’t apologised, and yet you are fighting over a stool. You are apologising, and yet you haven’t restored the property you stole. Where is the remorse?” he questioned.
The Asantehene directed the Tepahene to ensure that the deity is returned to its rightful place so that purification rites can be performed before the apology is formally presented.
Watch a video of the encounter below (credit: Opemsuo.com) :
BAI/MA
