Lawyers of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, led by Thaddeus Sory, have accused the Chief Justice of bias in a case where the Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, is seeking an appeal.
Mr. Adu Gyamfi, also known as Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, lodged an appeal on May 10, 2023, challenging the High Court in Accra’s dismissal of his contempt case against the MP.
In court on Tuesday, June 25, lead counsel for the MP, Thaddeus Sory, argued that events prior to Tuesday’s court session indicated that Justice Senyo Dzamefe would be the presiding judge. He contended that the Chief Justice cannot revise the panel in the manner she did, appointing Judicial Secretary Justice Cynthia Pamela A. Koranteng as the presiding judge on the matter.
Mr. Sory pointed out that the replacement of Justice Dzamefe corroborated an earlier newspaper publication by the Daily Post regarding Justice Dzamefe. He highlighted that the appellant, Rev. Kusi Boateng, is the Chief Justice’s pastor and spiritual father. Therefore, when a party has “an affinity with the person that determines the panel” and the panel has been reconstituted by removing the presiding judge, this cannot be overlooked.
Bobby Banson, counsel for Rev. Kusi Boateng, countered that the argument about the panel being reconstituted based on a newspaper report is, at worst, hearsay evidence that cannot be admitted. He questioned who constituted the original panel and whether the Chief Justice has the authority to do so.
Counsel for Rev. Kusi Boateng argued that the objection has no basis and should not be entertained.
Justice Cynthia Pamela A. Koranteng’s panel, which also comprises Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe and Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, has adjourned the case to Wednesday, June 26.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, who was at the court, noted that the outcome of the objection would determine what the panel will decide.
Meanwhile, lawyers for the legislature are urging the court to strike out the respondent’s (Rev. Kusi Boateng’s) notice of appeal filed on May 10, 2023.
The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, June 26, 2024, for a ruling.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com
