Justice Issifu Omoro Amadu Tanko was part of the Supreme Court panel that heard the vacant seat controversy case today (November 11, 2024).
The panel led by the Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo included other Justices of the Supreme Court like Ernest Yao Gaewu, Mariama Owusu, Kwame Asiedu, Yaw Darko Asare and Lovelace-Johnson.
Justice Amadu Tanko is Ghana’s first Muslim JSC following his appointment in 2020 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Court to rule on matter on November 12
The apex court reserved ruling for tomorrow, November 12, after hearing submissions from Joe Ghartey, lawyer for the petitioner, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who is leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus in Parliament.
The court also took submissions from the lawyer for the second defendant, Attorney General, Godfred Dame.
Thadeus Sory, lawyer for the first defendant, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, was absent from court. It was also revealed that the Speaker of Parliament did not file any processes in the suit despite unsuccessfully challenging the process a week ago.
The case seeks to prevent the ousting of two NPP MPs and one NDC MP who are aiming to stand as independents in the 2024 election, a fourth MP, Independent MP for Fomena, who is also seeking to stand on the NPP ticket, is among those whose seats are in contention.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo had previously asked the first defendant to file any processes by Wednesday, November 6, after the Speaker’s lawyer, Thaddeus Sory, requested more time to consult with the Speaker and gather necessary instructions.
In the previous session, Attorney General Godfred Dame argued that the Speaker of Parliament should be excluded from the proceedings, emphasising that his office holds the mandate to represent public servants in cases concerning constitutional interpretation.
Based on this position, Dame urged the court to proceed with interpreting the constitutional aspects of the case without the Speaker’s involvement.
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