Anti-gay bill: SC defers decision on injunction

The Supreme Court has postponed making a ruling on the injunction application by Dr. Amanda Odoi and Broadcast Journalist Richard Sky regarding the transmission of the anti-LGBTQ bill to the President. Instead, the court has decided to deliver the ruling on the same day as the final judgement.

Chaired by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the five-member panel agreed that an early trial would better serve the interests of justice.

The rulings on the two injunction applications were delivered separately, and the case has been adjourned indefinitely.

Both lawsuits challenge Parliament’s passage of the controversial anti-gay bill. Richard Dela Sky is seeking a declaration that the bill breaches the constitution and fundamental human rights, while Dr. Amanda Odoi is concerned about specific provisions in the bill and seeks to prevent its transmission to the President.

During the last hearing, arguments were made by Dr. Ernest Ackon on behalf of Amanda Odoi, highlighting the potential violations of the constitution by the bill. The Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, argued that the Speaker’s discretion is not unlimited.

The Speaker’s Counsel, Thaddeus Sory, argued against the need for a fiscal impact analysis and the court’s jurisdiction over the ongoing transmission process.

The Supreme Court, led by Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkonoo, is currently hearing the case brought by Richard Dela Sky.