Former Senior Presidential Aide Dr. Tony Aidoo has raised alarm over the Supreme Court’s handling of the case concerning the declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant as reported by Adomonline on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
On October 18, the Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s earlier ruling that declared the seats vacant.
This decision followed an ex parte application from several MPs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and permits those MPs to continue their parliamentary responsibilities until a final verdict is reached.
Dr. Aidoo contended that the Court acted beyond its jurisdiction by not including Parliament or the Speaker in the proceedings.
“The Supreme Court committed a procedural error by not hearing from Parliament or the Speaker. This is an illegality, and the matter should be struck out,” he stated emphatically.
He stressed the judiciary’s critical role in upholding the Constitution, asserting that it should not become a tool for any political faction.
Aidoo expressed his concern about the Court appearing politically biased: “How can the Supreme Court turn itself into a political arena? It is the last bastion of defence for the Constitution and must realise that.”
He also criticized the Attorney General’s rationale for contesting the Speaker’s ruling, highlighting a perceived inconsistency with the ongoing prosecution of James Gyakye Quayson, who is being charged for contesting an election while holding dual citizenship.
“If the AG claims that filing nominations for a future election doesn’t vacate a current seat, why is Gyakye Quayson being prosecuted for filing nominations?” he queried.
Dr. Aidoo cautioned that the integrity of Ghana’s Fourth Republic could be compromised if judicial decisions are viewed as inconsistent and influenced by political interests, warning of the potential for political chaos if this trend continues.
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