The Supreme Court has dismissed an application filed by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to overturn its October 18 order, which temporarily suspended his declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant. The Court ruled that the grounds presented by the Speaker’s legal team lacked merit.
This decision follows a previous challenge filed by Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who contested Speaker Bagbin’s initial decision to declare the seats vacant. In response, the Speaker’s legal team argued that the Supreme Court had overstepped its jurisdiction and that the writ, delivered to Parliament, constituted improper service. Consequently, the writ had been returned to the Court’s Registrar.
After hearing arguments from all involved parties, including the Attorney-General, the Supreme Court upheld its original ruling.
“We have considered the application and have come to the conclusion that the grounds supporting the application have no merit,” Chief Justice Torkornoo who presided over a five-member panel said.
The Court also rejected an objection from the Speaker’s counsel, Thaddeus Sory, concerning Justice Ernest Gaewu’s involvement in the case due to his past candidacy for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The Supreme Court found no conflict of interest and retained Justice Gaewu on the panel that head the case.
