Court to rule on NPP’s application to set aside injunction against Akwatia MP-elect Jan 6

The Koforidua High Court has adjourned until Monday, January 6, 2025, to deliver its ruling on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) application seeking to overturn an interim injunction that prevents the swearing-in of Ernest Kumi as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Akwatia constituency.

On Thursday, January 2, the court granted a request from Henry Boakye Yiadom, the NDC’s parliamentary candidate, who sought the injunction against the Electoral Commission (EC), Ernest Kumi, and the Clerk of Parliament, preventing Kumi’s swearing-in.

NPP lawyer Gary Nimako Marfo, who filed the application, argued that the ex parte injunction was based on an improper petition and urged the court to not only annul the injunction but also dismiss the petition entirely. He emphasized that election results can only be contested within 21 days after being published and gazetted.

However, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, counsel for the NDC candidate, disagreed, arguing that election results can be challenged as soon as they are declared, without waiting for the official gazette.

During the proceedings, Gary Nimako Marfo attempted to present further arguments in support of his case, but the judge, His Lordship Senyo Amedahe, interrupted him after the NDC lawyer objected, stating that Marfo was essentially re-arguing his case.

The NPP referenced several legal authorities to support their application, urging the court to dismiss the case, as the injunction was only temporary and would expire after 10 days, at which point the injunction could be re-applied.

After the hearing, Isaac Minta Larbi, the NDC’s legal head in the Eastern Region, told reporters, “The NDC was properly before the court, and we are confident the court will take a firm stand, allowing us to defeat the NPP. We opposed their application on solid grounds and are optimistic about a favorable outcome.”

Gary Nimako Marfo, counsel for the NPP, declined to comment further.

Meanwhile, newly-elected MPs are scheduled to be sworn in at midnight on January 7, 2025.

Akwatia MP-Elect injunted from being sworn in

The Koridua High Court has issued an interim injunction preventing Ernest Kumi from being sworn in as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia Constituency. This follows a highly contentious electoral process where results from Akwatia, along with other constituencies like Suhum, Nsawam, and Fanteakwa North, were relocated to the National Police Training School in Accra for final collation due to disputes and logistical challenges in the Eastern Region. Despite Ernest Kumi of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) being declared MP-elect, securing 19,269 votes against Henry Yiadom Boakye of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) with 17,206 votes, the NDC has vowed not  to accept the Electoral Commission’s decision, citing irregularities and lack of proper documentation.