Thirteen members of a family have been fined GH¢50,000 each by the Asante Mampong High Court in the Ashanti Region after being found guilty of contempt of court for allegedly defying an injunction and proceeding with an Islamic marriage ceremony involving a woman whose existing marriage was under dispute.
The ruling was delivered by His Worship Justice William Boampong following a two-year legal battle involving Hajia Alima Issah, the fourth wife of businessman Alhaji Abass, popularly known as “Alhaji Abass Transport.”
According to court records, Hajia Alima Issah, who has five children with Alhaji Abass, left her matrimonial home to visit her parents. About a month later, she allegedly decided to marry another man despite her existing marriage to Alhaji Abass.
Upon learning of the intended marriage, Alhaji Abass sought intervention from the traditional court of the Asantehemaa at Manhyia. The traditional authority reportedly issued an injunction restraining Hajia Issah’s family from facilitating any new marriage arrangements until the matter had been resolved.
The family is said to have disregarded the traditional court’s directive, prompting Alhaji Abass to seek relief at the Asante Mampong High Court. The court subsequently granted an injunction against the proposed marriage, and court officials served the order on members of the family.
Despite the injunction, the respondents allegedly proceeded to organise and supervise the Islamic marriage ceremony between Hajia Alima Issah and another man.
The court later cited 13 family members for contempt, accusing them of willfully disobeying a lawful court order.
Delivering judgment, Justice Boampong found all 13 respondents guilty of contempt and imposed a fine of GH¢50,000 on each individual. The court further ordered that any respondent who fails to pay the fine will serve 30 days in prison pending the hearing of the substantive case.
Three of the respondents failed to appear in court for the ruling. Consequently, the court issued bench warrants for their arrest.
The convicted family members have reportedly been taken into custody and remain behind bars as efforts continue to raise the fines required to secure their release.
The substantive case concerning the marriage dispute is still pending before the court.
Source: starrfm.com.gh
