Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed the application by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, that sought to overturn the ruling of the apex court that stayed the execution of his declaration of four parliamentary seats vacant.
The Supreme Court, in a verdict on an ex parte motion filed by the Member of Parliament for Effutu and leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members in Parliament annulled the Speaker’s declaration.
The legal team of the Speaker had argued that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction in the matter, based on the 1992 Constitution.
After hearing the counsel for the Speaker and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Supreme Court maintained that its earlier ruling was appropriate, stating that the Speaker’s appeal was without 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 Thaddeus Sory, counsel for the Speaker, regarding the empaneling of Justice Ernest Gaewu.
Mr. Sory argued that Justice Gaewu’s past role as a parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) suggested a potential conflict of interest.
However, the Supreme Court rejected this claim.
This ruling comes after the Court, on Friday, October 18, 2024, instructed Parliament to allow the four MPs to continue their duties until the case is resolved, effectively pausing the Speaker’s declaration on October 17.
This decision holds particular significance as both sides in Parliament currently claim a majority. This is because the Speaker’s ruling reduced the numbers of the NPP who were then Majority and to become Minority, with the NDC Minority assuming the Majority position. However, both caucuses are claiming majority.
LIVESTREAM: Supreme Court hears Speaker’s application to vacate ruling on vacant seats
