Bagbin’s Action Not ‘Constitutional’; NPP Back To Majority – Supreme Court Rules
The Supreme Court has ruled out Bagbin’s declaration of four seats in Parliament.
The court, hearing the case today after adjourning it from yesterday, described the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin’s action as “unconstitutional”.
The Supreme Court, by a 5-2 majority decision, upheld the suit filed by the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on the standoff in Parliament.
“In a majority decision of five – two, Lovelace Johnson JSC and Ahmadu Tanko JSC dissenting on the issue of jurisdiction, the plaintiff’s action succeeds the full reasons and orders of the court shall be filed with the registrar by close of date, tomorrow, 13th, November 2024 the is the judgment of the court”, the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo stated.
Reacting to the court ruling, Alexander Afenyo Markin said; “We can only thank God and also it is a moment for all of us to rally around and the choice we made in 1992. Democracy. Democracy requires decency and that is the path the NPP majority caucus took to ensure that we do right to the law.
“Nothing more except to say that we except to say that we expect our colleagues on the other side including Mr. Speaker to respect the outcome of this case so that we move on as a nation.”
He stressed; “All we have is the peace of the nation. All we have is our democracy.”
Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame, also remarked; “I think the court has spoken in very clear and emphatic terms and the only thing anybody has to do is to respect the constitution. That’s the mark of civilised democratic order. It leaves no room for any arguments whatsoever. The decision by the Supreme Court is not a narrow majority but a very clear majority of 5-2.
“Whenever the court speaks, it has a clear and emphatic order. It is the destruction of democratic order if anyone refuses to adhere to what the Supreme Court has said. That is non-negotiable. It is something that we must all respect.”
Source: Ghmessenger.com
