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THE EMBATTLED Chief of Tano Odumase in the Ashanti Region, Nana Agyare Boateng, who openly fought in public at a function in his area recently, has explained his strange behaviour. According to him, he was slapped from behind by one of his attackers while majestically walking with his elders on their way to the event grounds of the World Pharmacists Day celebration According to him, before he could turn his eyes to see who had slapped him heavily, about five other goons also attacked him from all sides in a violent fashion, destroying his umbrella. Nana Agyare Boateng told Daily Guide that the sudden attack on him, forced him to retaliate in that manner, stressing that he was not the first person to start the fight and that he fought in the public in self-defence. He alleged that the goons that attacked him on the day were hired by his own brother, one Kwadwo Donkoh, who had decided to force him (Nana Agyare Boateng) to abdicate the throne. According to the chief, no arrest had been made since the open brawl involving him and his attackers last Wednesday, noting that the incident was not the first time that his enemies had attacked him. The Tano Odumase chief had been in the news recently for the bad reasons, following his decision to exchange punches with one Kofi Boateng, a native of the town, in the full glare of the public. The unpleasant spectacle occurred in the presence of some top dignitaries including the Minister of Health, Sherry Ayittey, who watched the free-for-all brawl in awe at a public event in the area. Nana Agyare said he should not be blamed for the infamous incident, stressing that he traded punches with his attackers to help save his life which was under serious threat at the time. According to him, as the chief and leader of the area, he had the right to dress in his full regalia to attend the function which had the potential of bringing positive dividends to the area. He said Kwadwo Donkoh had earlier threatened to shoot him, if he dared to attend the programme. The chief, however, called off their bluff and graced the occasion since he believed the community would benefit from it. Explaining the genesis of the whole issue, the chief said about six years ago, Kwadwo Donkoh started a crusade to destool him by concocting false allegations against him. The matter was sent to Bantamahene, Baffuor Asare Owusu Amankwatia, their overlord, for adjudication �and I was adjudged the winner by the Bantamahene who told me to occupy my stool.� He said since Bantamahene�s ruling, Kwadwo Donkoh had decided to use life threatening tactics to get him to be frightened and vacate the stool �but this strategy will not work on me.� Nana Agyare Boateng said Kwadwo Donkoh was envious about the huge property on the stool including a vast cocoa farm, hence his decision to �force me to leave the stool.� The Tano Odumase chief said no amount of threats by his detractors could force him to leave the stool, stressing that he was still the rightful occupant of the Tano Odumase stool. Nana Agyare Boateng during last Wednesday�s brawl delivered quick successive punches on Kofi Boateng who had to show a clean pair of heels in order to avert further ordeal he was experiencing. But the Tano Odumase Chief who was then bare-chested, wearing white shorts, gave him a wild chase and he finally trapped Kofi Boateng in a dirty stagnant water where he continued to pummel him until people intervened.