Lawyers representing the North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa have raised objections against a newly constituted panel hearing a contempt case initiated by Reverend Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral. The case is part of an ongoing defamation suit by Rev. Boateng to restrain the MP from discussing his involvement in the National Cathedral issue.
The Court of Appeal was set to deliver a ruling on the defamation suit, marking Rev. Boateng’s third attempt to restrain the NDC MP after two previous attempts. However, when the case was called today, Thaddeus Sory, lead counsel for Mr Ablakwa, objected to the new panel on grounds of unconstitutionality and potential bias, arguing it would undermine a fair hearing.
Sory noted that the original panel included Justice Dzamefe and Justice Senyo, both of whom were absent during the new panel’s session on Tuesday, June 25. He highlighted that Justice Dzamefe had previously indicated his return after participating in another panel hearing earlier that day. When the new panel convened without him, Mr Sory immediately objected.
“What we are objecting to became apparent to us when the case was called,” he said.
According to Mr Sory, once a panel is constituted by the Chief Justice, it must remain unchanged until the matter is resolved. He also alleged that the transfer of the high court judge who dismissed Rev. Boateng’s contempt application from Accra to Sunyani and then to Bolga suggested possible undue influence by the plaintiff, who allegedly has significant connections within the church.
A panel member quickly dismissed Mr Sory’s allegation as “speculative innuendo,” while Rev. Boateng’s lawyer, Bobby Banson, refuted the claim as false, hearsay, and not legally substantiated.
The panel has scheduled a ruling on the objection for Wednesday, June 26, which will determine whether the NDC MP’s application to strike out Rev. Boateng’s suit will proceed with the current panel or if the original panel will be reinstated.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
