The lawyer for journalist, Richard Dela Sky is expected to file an application for contempt against President John Dramani Mahama for appointing a new Chairperson for the Electoral Commission (EC) when a suit seeking interpretation over such an appointment was in court.
In June, President John Mahama swore in the newly appointed Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Charlotte Osei.
[contextly_sidebar id=”Uvlywc7SJbLNh7oqHyvtedWS6Tw4BjZ6″]Prior to her appointment, there was intense pressure on President Mahama to “consult widely” with political stakeholders and other personalities.
Alex Afenyo Markin, lawyer for Richard Sky, who however believes the President’s decision was taken anonymously says the decision brings the authority of the court into disrepute.
Richard Sky is invoking the jurisdiction of the highest court of the land, to interpret certain provisions of the 1992 Constitution in relation to the appointment of an EC Chair.
According to Sky, upon a true and proper interpretation of the constitution, it is the responsibility of the council of state to, in effect, choose the EC boss, a decision which shall be binding on the president.
Meanwhile the seven member panel of the Supreme court presided over by the Cheif Justice, Georgina Theodora Woode adjourned the case “sine die” [indefinitely] to allow lawyers for Mr. Sky and another applicant Danso Acheampong who is also before the court on the same issue to formally file an application for consolidation of their case with that of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and three others against the Attorney General and the Judicial Council, which is on the proper mode of appointments to the Supreme Court bench.
The justices of the Supreme Court were of the view that the intervening suit by the GBA was more “comprehensive” and needed to be resolved first so it becomes the yardstick for the determination of the case of the EC boss appointment.
If the three suits are consolidated, it will mean that the issues being litigated by Mr Sky, Mr Danso Acheampong and the GBA will be determined in one single judgment to be delivered by the panel chosen to hear the original GBA suit.
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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana