An Accra High Court will today hear the case filed by the suspended National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko challenging his suspension.
Mr. Afoko filed the suit in 2015 after he was suspended from his position.
[contextly_sidebar id=”XVrBQJugVUkHMWxZbtBWoGy7Y8kTsI7d”]He is in court challenging the punishment meted out to him, which he says is unconstitutional and illegal.
Mr. Afoko wants a constitutional interpretation of the NPP constitution as bases to declare the suspension as null and void.
The case which was called on Tuesday had to be adjourned to today [Wednesday] because lawyers for the NPP failed to show up in court.
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 NPP for taking such actions against him.
Unconstitutional suspension?
The suspended NPP Chairman 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.
Speaking for the first time since his suspension, Paul Afoko said the members of National Council Meeting who 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.
Agyepong, Crabbed axed too
The NPP had also suspended its General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong and Second Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe.
They were also suspended for “misconduct” and disregard for party structures.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Sammi Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana