A former Chief of Staff under the Kufour Administration, Kwadwo Mpiani, today [Wednesday] made an appearance in court alongside a huge number of supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to support suspended National Chairman, Paul Afoko, in his suit against the party.
Mr. Mpiani, who is believed to be part of a faction of the NPP whose allegiances lie with former President Kufour, was flanked by another suspended executive, Sammy Crabbe during the hearing.
The likes of Sheikh IC Quaye, the Chairman of the Council of Elders; CK Tedam and former Accra Mayor; Stanley Adjiri Blankson, were also in court for the NPP.
Paul Afoko in 2015 filed the suit challenging his suspension as National Chairman of the NPP.
According to the suit, the action and processes leading to his suspension by some elements of the party were unconstitutional and a breach of natural justice.
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 Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana