Denu, Ketu South — The descendants of Torgbui Baku I, acknowledged founders and custodians of the Denu Divisional Stool, have spoken out on the ongoing chieftaincy dispute in the Somè Traditional Area, accusing the Ayivor family of unlawfully attempting to assume control of the stool.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Torgbui Baku Palace in Denu, the Secretary of the Stool, Mr. Felix Kwaku Kpornyo, said the Denu Stool “is the bona fide property of the descendants of Torgbui Baku I,” as affirmed in the 2005 .
He noted that the stool is traditionally held by the Dogbe, Adzra, Dzila, Dogbatsey, and allied families, who have historically been enstooled as Dufia of Denu under the authority of the Makorsor of Somè.
Mr. Kpornyo alleged that the Ayivor family, which has never reigned over Denu in Somè’s chieftaincy history, recently conducted unlawful ceremonies between 19th and 21st September 2025, breaching the ban on drumming and noise-making imposed by the Somè Traditional Authorities and the Ketu South Municipal Security Council (MUSEC).
“The person currently calling himself Torgbui Baku IV, also known as Julius Ayivor, was not enstooled by the Makorsor of Somè and therefore cannot be recognized as the lawful Dufia of Denu,” Mr. Kpornyo stated.
He emphasized that the Ayivor family, though historically associated with the Baku lineage through friendship and intermarriage, separated from the Baku family around 1975 and has since sought to usurp the stool through illegitimate means.
The Baku Stool Secretary also cited a May 22, 2024, ruling by the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, which nullified an ex parte judgment delivered by the Anlo Traditional Council (ATC) in 1988.
The Judicial Committee ruled that the ATC’s earlier judgment was a violation of due process and ordered a retrial. The case is now before the Judicial Committee of the Somè Traditional Council at Agbozume under Suit No. STC/02/2025, where the Ayivor family has been summoned.
Appeal for Peace
Mr. Kpornyo confirmed that the Baku family has petitioned the Ketu South Municipal Security Council and relevant security agencies to ensure peace and lawful resolution of the matter.
“We reaffirm that the Ayivor family has never been chiefs of Denu and cannot assume that role through unlawful and manipulative means. We stand firm in our commitment to peace,” he added.
The descendants of Torgbui Baku I concluded by calling on the public and the media to rely on verified historical records and traditional authority in reporting on the Denu chieftaincy affairs, stressing that peace and truth remain their guiding principles.
