Lawyers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have threatened to cite the suspended National Chairman, Paul Afoko, for contempt of court if he does not desist from media comments on the case in court.
NPP lawyer, Godfred Dame, sought a court order this morning to compel Mr. Afoko to cease all media comments until the final determination of the case in court.
[contextly_sidebar id=”ZlV2xYr4YIhlVRz5UlGAFnjV4kAwnOso”]The presiding Judge, Anthony Yeboah, after hearing from lawyer for Afoko, Safo Boabeng declined to comment and proceeded to adjourn the matter to April 12 for both parties to complete the filing of documents.
Lawyer Safo Boabeng also admitted that his client had indeed been making public comments in the media.
Why Afoko sued NPP
The NPP’s National Executive Committee suspended Paul Afoko in October 2015 for “misconduct.” The decision was adopted by the party’s National Council, which is the second highest decision making body of the party after congress.
Mr. Afoko rejected the reasons for his suspension and subsequently sued the party for taking such an action against him.
Unconstitutional suspension?
The suspended Chair had earlier described his suspension as unconstitutional and a breach of natural justice.
“The illegal National Executive Committee meeting adopted the illegal recommendations of the disciplinary committee following the rules and procedures laid down by the constitution by appealing against these illegalities,” he complained.
My opponents ‘plotted’ my suspension
Paul Afoko had alleged that the party’s action against him was masterminded by some members of the party who opposed his candidature before his election.
He said the members of National Council meeting that voted to suspend him are his avowed opponents who worked against his candidature ahead of the party’s congress to elect national officers.
“All those who voted at the Council meeting were against my candidature,” he argued.
Kwabena Agyepong, Sammy Crabbe suspended
The NPP also suspended its General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong and Second Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe after that of Paul of Afoko. They were also suspended for “misconduct” which included a disregard for party structures.
The two are also seen as allies to Mr. Afoko.
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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana