Berenger Aka Flanton, who styles himself as the Eastern Nzema Paramount Chief under the stool name Awulae Blay IX, has made stark contradictions within an affidavit, simultaneously denying and admitting his status as Paramount Chief.
The conflicting statements are contained in an Affidavit in Opposition filed by Flanton in contempt proceedings pending at the Sekondi High Court.
The case is registered as The Republic v. Berenger Aka Flanton, Ex-Parte Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III (Suit No. E9/46/26).
In paragraph 5 of his affidavit, Flanton explicitly denies his status, stating: “I never acted or styled myself as the paramount chief of Eastern Nzema or performed the role of President of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council.”
He further contends in paragraph 6 that legally occupying the position of President of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council requires gazette notification and entry into the National Register of Chiefs.
However, later in the very same document, Flanton makes a direct reversal.
In paragraph 23, he admits that he was installed under the stool name Awulae Blay IX and “performed the customary functions of his office as Paramount Chief of Eastern Nzema.”
He doubles down on this admission in paragraph 24, referencing the customary rites associated with “his office of Paramount Chief of Eastern Nzema.”
These opposing claims raise a fundamental legal and logical question: How can Flanton assert in one breath that he never acted or styled himself as Paramount Chief, while confirming in the next that he was installed and performed the customary functions of that exact office?
Furthermore, in paragraph 33 of the affidavit, Flanton attempts to shield himself from the contempt charges, stating he has never held himself out as President of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council, nor has he prevented Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III from performing his role as President of the Council.
Because these contradictory statements were made by Flanton himself in a sworn court document, the public is invited to read the affidavit in full to consider these admissions in their proper legal context.