An Accra High Court has dismissed an application filed by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to join a suit brought by some 40 former Members of Parliament (MPs).

The former MPs have sued the Attorney General and the Ministry of Finance over pensions owed them.

The MPs who served between 2001 and 2008 claim they are entitled to at least GHS233,495 each as pension.

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission applied to join the suit claiming their presence in the matter will enable the court to effectively determine the issues. 

But ruling on the matter, Justice Gifty Dekyem said the Act establishing the Commission precluded it from dabbling in matters of Article 71 office holders, thereby dismissing the request.

The former MPs in their writ noted that, in a letter dated June 25, 2015, the Attorney General directed the Ministry of Finance to make the payments, but the Minister of Finance at the time refused, neglected or failed to make the payments as directed.

The former legislators also said the conduct of the Finance Minister caused them distress and suffering, as most of them are unemployed and unable to sustain their families.  

Former MP for Bolgatabga David Apesera told Joy News the Commission has only succeeded in wasting the time of the court.

He added the amounts they were seeking was due them after years of service to the state.

“We are grateful to the court because we know that they are not supposed to be part of it. They are simply trying to flout the law that establishes them.

“We are happy that the Judge has thrown them out,” he added.

Hearing of the matter continues on May 3, 2017.