Audio By Carbonatix
The Attorney General (AG), Godfred Dame, has called on all parties involved in the case concerning the vacant parliamentary seats to adhere to the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The judgment came after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, filed an application to the Court to overturn its earlier ruling on his declaration of vacant seats in the House.
The Speaker declared four seats vacant in parliament—three NPP seats and one NDC seat—because the MPs will run in the upcoming polls on party tickets other than those that brought them into the House.
After about three weeks of deliberation on the vacant seats case, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, 12 November 2024, that the Speaker’s declaration of the seats as vacant was unconstitutional.
"In a majority decision of five to two, with Lovelace Johnson JSC and Amadu Tanko JSC dissenting on the issue of jurisdiction, the plaintiff's action succeeds," said the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Supreme Court, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
On his part, the AG emphasised that "The Court has spoken in very clear and emphatic terms, and the only thing anybody has to do is respect the Court’s decision."
He explained that adhering to the verdict reflects "the mark of a civilised democratic order," adding that "it leaves no room for any argument."
The AG made these comments to the media after the CJ delivered the ruling at the Supreme Court in Accra.
Meanwhile, the Chief Justice noted that the reasons for the verdict, explaining why the Speaker’s declaration cannot stand, would be announced on November 13.
"The full reasons and orders of the Court shall be filed with the Registrar by the close of business tomorrow, 13 November 2024. This is the judgment of the Court." the CJ added.
The ruling means that the NPP remains the majority in Parliament, while the NDC will continue to be in the minority until the new Parliament is formed next year.
Latest Stories
-
Precision strikes hit terrorist targets as Nigeria, U.S. strengthen security cooperation
29 minutes -
Trade Minister confident of continued gains in 2026
29 minutes -
Transport shortages hit Ashaiman during Christmas
37 minutes -
BoG says IMF praises Ghana’s macroeconomic gains, gold loss claims speculative
42 minutes -
Press Freedom questioned after High Court ruling
46 minutes -
TMPC urges caution and vigilance in use of traditional and alternative medicine
49 minutes -
Ada PWDs boycott Assembly disbursement over procurement concerns
57 minutes -
Christmas surge in ride-hailing fares hits consumers
1 hour -
Joy FM Party in the Park kicks off today at Aburi Botanical Gardens
1 hour -
How a new who declaration could change traditional medicine
2 hours -
Evidence shows Ghana needs an independent prosecutorial system – Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh
2 hours -
Selective justice is destroying trust in Ghana’s anti-corruption system – Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh
2 hours -
Politician Attorney General model is broken and no longer credible – Constitution Review Chair
3 hours -
Indonesians raise white flags as anger grows over slow flood aid
3 hours -
Why passport stamps may be a thing of the past
3 hours
