In a notable development, the Supreme Court has adjourned the case concerning the ousting of four legislators who chose to run as independents during the general election, now set to reconvene on November 11. Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo granted Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin until November 6 to file the necessary documents. This timeline follows a request from Bagbin’s attorney, Thaddeus Sory, for additional time to confer with the Speaker and receive instructions pertinent to the case.
During today’s proceedings, the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, urged the Court to exclude the Speaker from the case, emphasizing that the Attorney General’s office is responsible for handling constitutional interpretation issues related to public servants. In light of this, Dame requested the Court to proceed with interpreting the matter, indicating the government’s intent to resolve the legal uncertainties surrounding the status of the independent legislators.
This adjournment follows a recent ruling in which the Supreme Court dismissed an application from Bagbin aimed at overturning its earlier decision that suspended his declaration regarding the four parliamentarians. This legal battle initially began when Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin challenged the Speaker’s declaration, with Bagbin’s legal team arguing that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction over the case. However, the Court upheld its earlier ruling, concluding that the Speaker’s appeal lacked merit. “We have considered the application, and we have come to the conclusion that the grounds supporting the application have no merit,” the Chief Justice stated.
Prior to this decision, the Court also dismissed an objection raised by Sory concerning the empaneling of Justice Ernest Gaewu. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to attract attention, highlighting the complexities of parliamentary representation and the implications of independent candidacies in the political landscape. The upcoming hearing on November 11 promises to bring further clarity to this contentious issue.
