The Minority in Parliament has suspended its planned protest against the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison and his deputies to after Friday, September 8.
This was after the Financial and Economic Division of the Accra High Court presided over by Justice Edward Twum heard preliminary objection raised by the Minority.
The police had filed an application to injunct the protest over security concerns, but the Organizer on Monday, September 4, 2023, raised objections to the motion (a day before the planned protest).
The Minority’s lawyers led by NDC’s Director of Legal Affairs, Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, raised objection to the capacity of the Police to institute the action on their own accord.
He argued that, per the motion before the court it is irregular and defective because it is the Attorney General or an officer from the AG’s office who ought to come to the court with such a motion.
Lawyer Tamekloe contended that, for the motion to be signed by Superintendent of Police, an officer of the police and same moved by him is not proper and prayed the court to strick out the injunction.
Superintendent Sylvester Asare, while opposing to the motion argued that the application from the police is competent and should be heard.
He argued that, per the Public Order Act, the police as an internal security institution have the mandate to come to court when it has security concerns about a special event put forth by organizers.
Supt. Asare contended that, the public order act specifically, stated at section 1(6) to the effect that, the police officer upon the refusal by organizers of special events to postpone or relocate special event which may lead to violence, endanger public order, public safety or running of essential services may apply to the court in the interest of the public.
Justice Edward Twum after listening to the parties said the court want to deliver a reasoned ruling and will need time to do so.
The case has since been adjourned to September 8, for ruling on the objection and the subsequent hearing of the motion for injunction.
Meanwhile, Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson after the court sitting said, the planned protest has not been canceled.
He said, a new date would be fixed after the court’s ruling on Friday by the court.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah who was in court reports Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Boah, Deputy Minority leader, Kwame Governs Agbodza, Masawudu Mahama, Bernard Mornah, Rex Owusu Omar said to be the organizers were all present in court.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Murtala Inusah
