ADUMUAH AND ANOTHER v TETTEY-KWAO AND OTHERS [1997-98]1 GLR 344 - 378

Courts-High Court-jurisdiction-Cause or matter affecting chieftaincy­ Issue arising in stool land dispute-Action by plaintiffs, elders of Appolonia. for declaration stool can validly alienate stool land only with their consent and concurrence-Issues raised as to whether plaintiffs kingmakers; existence of ruling houses at Appolonia; and constitutional relationship between Appolonia and Kpone paramount stool-Mode of alienation of stool land determinable only after detennination of chieftaincy issues-Whether High Court justified in assuming jurisdiction over land dispute.

Customary law-Stool land-Alienation-Only chief and principal elders can validly alienate stool land- Plailltiffs not the only stool elders of Appolonia-Plaintiffs voluntarily absenting themselves from meetings to discuss alienation of stool lands-Whether grants made by stool without consent of plaintiffs valid.