Judge refers journalists’ accreditation suit to Chief Justice

Justice of the Human Rights Court, Gifty Agyei Addo has refused to continue hearing a suit filed by the International Standard Journalists Association against the Electoral Commission on the latter’s decision to charge for media accreditation.

The EC charged each journalist who wants to cover the December 7 general elections GHc10 for accreditation. But when the judge called the case on Wednesday, she paused for 3 minutes to go through some documents, and announced that she can no longer hear the case.

I therefore refer the case to the Chief Justice to get another judge to sit on this suit,” she said in court. She did not also explain her reasons.

A member of the commission, Amadu Sulley was in court for the Electoral Commission. He told Onua FM that he was satisfied with the judge’s decision but would not comment anyfurther. The counsel for the EC, K. A. Nsiah Asare also told Onua FM both parties would have to accept the judge’s decision and wait for the Chief Justice to appoint another judge.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nana Oppong, counsel for the plaintiff, in an interview expressed shock at the development. According to him, the issue at stake should not be beyond her jurisdiction. He was worried that the case was going to delay and may not be resolved before December 7.

Asked whether he suspected any foul play, he observed that the court might have seen that the issue is weightier than was thought by the public.

He debunked yesterday’s media reports which suggested that the case has been dismissed by the court, and cautioned the media against “shameful journalism” at this election period.