The Supreme Court has indefinitely adjourned a case filed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) challenging a January 2 injunction imposed by the Koforidua High Court on the Akwatia constituency seat.
The injunction stemmed from an election petition filed by Henry Boakye Yiadom, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate, on December 31, 2024. The petition sought an ex-parte interim injunction to block the swearing-in of the NPP’s candidate, Ernest Kumi, as the Member of Parliament for the constituency.
This legal action followed the Electoral Commission’s announcement on December 12, declaring Ernest Kumi as the winner of the Akwatia Constituency election after the collation of results.
The Supreme Court’s decision to adjourn the case leaves the matter unresolved, prolonging uncertainty over the constituency’s parliamentary representation.
The Koforidua High Court, on January 2, 2025, granted an injunction filed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), restraining Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Electoral Commission (EC), and the Clerk of Parliament from recognizing, swearing in, or gazetting Mr. Kumi as the elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the Akwatia constituency.
The court’s ruling barred Mr. Kumi, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, and all parties involved from acting in any capacity to install him as MP for the constituency until the matter was fully resolved.
Following the High Court’s decision, the NPP filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the injunction.
Despite the pending legal challenge, the Electoral Commission gazetted Ernest Yaw Kumi as MP-elect alongside 274 others. This led to his swearing-in by Parliament on January 7, 2025.
When the Supreme Court heard the case on Thursday, it noted that the NPP had failed to properly serve the necessary court processes on the NDC. Due to this procedural lapse, the Apex Court adjourned the case indefinitely.
The development has left the matter unresolved, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the Akwatia parliamentary seat.
SOURCE: James Avedzi
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