Bunkpurugu chieftaincy dispute: CJ orders transfer of case to Tamale
The Chief Justice has granted a request by defendants in the Bunkpurugu chieftaincy dispute to transfer their case from the High Court in Nalerigu to Tamale over security concerns. The decision follows fears expressed by the defendants that their lives could be in danger if they travelled to Nalerigu to attend court proceedings. The case was scheduled for hearing on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Defendants Cite Security Concerns
One of the defendants, Elijah Saan, told JoyNews that they feared for their lives if they appeared before the Nalerigu High Court. According to him, the defendants had received intelligence suggesting that they could be killed if they travelled to Nalerigu for the hearing. He said the concerns prompted them to instruct their lawyer to apply for the transfer of the case to Tamale, where they hoped the proceedings could continue under safer conditions. The Registrar of the Nalerigu High Court confirmed to JoyNews on Friday that the Chief Justice had granted the request.
Disputed Enskinment Triggers Tensions
The transfer comes amid heightened tensions in Bunkpurugu following the disputed enskinment of Melchizedek Musah Jamung as chief on September 14, 2026. The installation took place while a chieftaincy dispute was ongoing and reportedly triggered violence that left one woman dead and four others injured. The incident has further heightened tensions in the area, where rival claims to the Bunkpurugu skin have continued to fuel disagreements between the Jamong and Jafouk royal families.
Police Search for Rival Chief, Others
Following the violence, the police have been searching for the rival chief and other members of the Jamong royal family in connection with the disputed enskinment. The search comes as authorities seek to address the security situation surrounding the chieftaincy dispute and its potential implications for peace in the area.
Nayiri Seeks Contempt Proceedings
The dispute has also taken a legal turn, with the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, filing an application at the High Court in Nalerigu seeking to have four people committed for contempt of court over the installation. In the application filed on October 14, 2026, the Nayiri accused the respondents of disregarding judicial processes by proceeding with the enskinment despite an ongoing legal dispute over the Bunkpurugu skin. The application adds another dimension to the conflict, as the traditional authorities and the parties involved continue to pursue their respective positions through legal and traditional channels.
Dispute Raises Fears of Further Violence
The conflict between the Jamong and Jafouk royal families has contributed to persistent tensions in Bunkpurugu, with reports of farm destruction, arson and residents fleeing their homes amid fears of further violence. The latest security concerns surrounding the court proceedings underscore the challenges facing efforts to resolve the dispute peacefully. The transfer of the case to Tamale is expected to allow the legal proceedings to continue away from Nalerigu, following the defendants’ concerns about their safety.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Bunkpurugu as the chieftaincy dispute continues to generate legal challenges and security concerns.
