Drama unfolded in Ghana’s Supreme Court yesterday, October 30, 2024, as counsel for Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, Thaddeus Sory, formally requested that Justice Yao Gaewu recuse himself from the contentious case surrounding the Speaker’s ruling to vacate four parliamentary seats. Apexnewsgh reports
Sory’s concern stems from Justice Gaewu’s alleged prior association with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), which could potentially bias the proceedings.
The request came amidst heated discussions in court, sparked by Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame’s challenge to specific sections of the Speaker’s affidavit. Dame described paragraphs 21 and 49 as “scandalous,” arguing that they addressed the political implications of the Speaker’s decision, which could compromise the case’s legal integrity.
In a related development, Joe Ghartey, representing NPP Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, attempted to deliver a preliminary comment.
However, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo swiftly reprimanded Ghartey for allowing a junior lawyer to open the remarks, emphasizing the importance of maintaining courtroom decorum. The Chief Justice deemed Ghartey’s action a breach of respect for the judicial process and ultimately disregarded his statement.
This case has been making headlines since the Speaker declared four parliamentary seats vacant, affecting three NPP MPs and one from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Supreme Court has already issued a stay of execution on the Speaker’s ruling, allowing the four MPs to continue representing their constituencies until the Court delivers its final ruling. The battle for parliamentary seats continues, with the NDC claiming a majority and the NPP fighting to maintain its dominance.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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