I’m Not A Cocaine Dealer – Otumfuo

THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has asked the Almighty God to deal with his detractors, especially those who once labeled him a cocaine dealer.

He expressed concern over several false reports being peddled about him by some faceless people since he became King – just to discredit him – stressing that he was leaving those people to be dealt with by God and the Golden Stool, the embodiment of the spirit of the Asante Kingdom.

The Asantehene made these remarks when the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, visited him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Friday to offer fervent prayers for him.

According to the King, even before he ascended the throne, wild rumours were abound to the effect that he was once a ‘swindler’ who duped several people in Europe – a report which he described as false.

Otumfuo recounted that immediately he became the Asantehene, he was labeled a cocaine dealer, though he was an upright person who frowned on issues about narcotics.

“Before I ascended the Golden Stool, they said I swindled people in Europe but I did not utter a word, because I knew that I was innocent and that my God, who created me, will exonerate me.

“When I eventually became the Asantehene, these same faceless people again labeled me as a cocaine dealer which was totally false because I am a righteous person who frowns on illegalities,” he stated.

Gold Ornaments

As if that was not enough, the Asantehene said, he was also accused by these same faceless people of selling precious gold ornaments of the Golden Stool when he lost his ornaments through theft during a visit to Europe.

He said although he was not present when the precious items were lost, people managed to accuse him of selling those gold ornaments “and I decided not to talk because my God and the Golden Stool will exonerate me.”

Election Petition

The Asantehene said before those rumours died down, speculation that he had bribed the Supreme Court Justices to rule the 2012 presidential election petition in favour of the NDC also emanated, generating debate across the country.

In the face of those reports, which he said were meant to tarnish his image, Otumfuo Osei Tutu said he had remained quiet, reiterating his call on God and the Golden Stool to deal with detractors who always lied about him.

He said he would not fight his faceless enemies because he was cock sure that God and the Golden Stool were more than able to deal with people that wanted to tarnish his image.

The Asantehene stated emphatically that he was a righteous King who frowned on all illegal activities; therefore the public should treat the wild speculations about him with the contempt they deserve.

He said he had realized that as the Asantehene, whether he liked it or not, people would peddle falsehood about him, so he was not perturbed about the rumours.

He asserted that he was not afraid of what people would say about him, insisting that he was a King who would stand by the truth always, adding that God was the only one he feared.

Death Rumour

Otumfuo stated that his detractors also spread rumours that he had died whilst he was in South Africa with some of his sub chiefs holidaying.

He maintained that he was not concerned about the recent wild rumours of his death, and that God and the Golden Stool were protecting him always and “only God’s wish for me will be done.

Chief Imam

The National Chief Imam, whose delegation included Zongo chiefs drawn from all corners of the country, was at the palace to welcome Otumfuo from his private trip to South Africa after rumours that he had kicked the bucket, was eventually proven to be false.

Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu assured the Asantehene that Muslims in the country were praying for good health and long life for him, adding that all fiendish plans by people about him (Otumfuo) would not work.

Source: I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr/Daily Guide