The arrested fetish priest who took a stand during the recent demolition exercise in Nima has shared his side of the story. Nii Odiasempa, asserting his clan's ownership of the land, described his motivation for intervening in the demolition process that occurred on Tuesday, August 15.

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Upon learning of the demolition of structures in the Nima community, Nii Odiasempa, deeply angered, turned to his ancestral beliefs for guidance. He believed that his clan had a rightful claim to the Nima lands, and so he consulted his ancestors for a course of action. He revealed that his ancestors instructed him on the appropriate response, leading him to be present at the demolition site adorned in leaves and holding a bottle of schnapps.

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He clarified that he did not intend to engage in physical confrontation but rather to demonstrate a symbolic protest using traditional symbols and rituals. He mentioned that pouring alcohol on the demolition vehicles was part of the ritualistic process he was engaged in to protect the land.

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However, his actions caught the attention of the police, who urged him to remain calm. Unbeknownst to him, as he chanted and performed his rituals, the police vehicle was parked nearby. This led to his arrest and subsequent detainment at the police station, a development that took him by surprise.

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Despite his frustration, Nii Odiasempa voiced a desire for fairness and understanding. He called on both the government and the traditional council to consider the plight of Nima residents and to approach such situations with care. He conveyed that the sudden and unannounced demolition negatively affected the community.

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The priest emphasized his attachment to the land, asserting that they had documents proving their ownership claims. He expressed disappointment that no prior communication had taken place before the demolition.

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In retrospect, Nii Odiasempa revealed a remarkable detail. He possessed the ability to vanish, a supernatural capability he refrained from using during the incident. He conveyed a mix of regret and rationale, indicating that his respect for the police led him to not utilize this ability.

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