The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman for Kpandai, Kennedy Jato, has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to restore the parliamentary seat of the Member of Parliament for Kpandai, Mr Matthew Nyindam, describing the ruling as a clear affirmation that justice has been served.
Speaking on Onua FM, Thursday, January 29 Mr Jato said the verdict did not come as a surprise to the NPP, insisting that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was fully aware that it stood no chance of succeeding in the legal challenge.
According to him, events on the ground had long exposed what he described as the non-viability of the NDC’s candidate in the constituency.
“There was a time when Joseph Yamin and Mustapha Gbande visited Kpandai and realized that their candidate was not viable to win the election. After that day, they left,” he stated.
Mr Jato maintained that the Supreme Court’s ruling had vindicated the NPP and Mr Nyindam, stressing that justice had ultimately prevailed.
He further disclosed that the party is considering legal action against the NDC candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, indicating that a lawsuit would be filed to seek compensation for damages.
“Since the NDC candidate loves the courts so much, we will also file a lawsuit him, him not the party, and seek compensation for the damages caused,” he added.
The comments follow a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court which restored Mr Matthew Nyindam as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Kpandai.
In a 4–1 majority decision, the apex court quashed a High Court judgment that had earlier annulled Mr Nyindam’s election on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party. Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang dissented from the majority decision.
The ruling was delivered after Mr Nyindam invoked the Supreme Court’s supervisory jurisdiction, challenging the High Court’s decision on the basis of jurisdictional error.
The Supreme Court held that the High Court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to annul the parliamentary election, thereby restoring Mr Nyindam’s seat in Parliament.
By Lois Dogbe
