Victor Kusi Boateng and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Lawyers representing Rev. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, also known as Victor Kusi Boateng, have denounced recent claims that their client has suffered a third defeat court case against Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency in the Volta Region, as reported by Asaaseradio.com.
In a statement dated June 26, 2024, and signed by Bobby Banson of the Robert Smith Law Group, it was emphasized that reports in mainstream and social media suggesting that the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal filed by their client are inaccurate.
These reports claim that Rev. Kusi Boateng's appeal against the High Court's May 2, 2023, ruling, which dismissed an application for contempt against Ablakwa, was rejected.
“These false reports have been published on myjoyonline.com and other media outlets under a misleading headline,” the statement read.
The publication on myjoyonline.com falsely stated, “The Court of Appeal has thrown out an application filed by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral project. The suit sought to restrain the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, from discussing him concerning the National Cathedral project.”
“We wish to state that the above report is a figment of the imagination of the originator of this publication and does not reflect the proceedings before the Court of Appeal on either June 25, 2024, or June 26, 2024,” the statement continued.
The lawyers outlined the case's progress as follows:
- The High Court dismissed an application for contempt against the Respondent on May 2, 2023.
- The Appellant filed a Notice of Appeal on May 10, 2023, challenging the High Court's ruling on three grounds.
- On April 17, 2023, the Court of Appeal allowed the Appellant to add an additional ground of appeal.
- On April 19, 2024, the Appellant requested an extension of time to file written submissions for the appeal.
- The Respondent filed an application on April 30, 2024, to strike out the grounds of appeal.
- Both motions were scheduled for hearing on June 25, 2024.
- During the June 25 hearing, the Respondent objected to the composition of the Court of Appeal judges, citing potential bias. - The Court of Appeal addressed the objection and the application to strike out some grounds of appeal, adjourning the matter to June 26, 2024.
- On June 26, 2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed the preliminary objection regarding the judges' panel without costs. The court granted the Respondent's application to strike out some grounds of appeal, awarding costs of GH₵3,000 to the Respondent.
- The court extended the Appellant's time to file written submissions for the appeal, with a seven-day deadline from June 26, 2024.
The statement further explained that on June 26, 2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed the preliminary objection raised to the panel's constitution as without merit. The court also granted the Respondent's application to strike out some grounds of appeal and awarded costs of GH₵3,000 in favour of the Respondent. The court then heard the argument for an extension of time to file the written submissions and granted the application.
“The Court of Appeal further ordered that the Appellant should file his written submissions in support of the appeal within seven days from June 26, 2024.”
Contrary to the publications and social media reports, there was no application filed at the Court of Appeal or any other court by the Appellant to restrain the Respondent from discussing the National Cathedral project.
Additionally, the appeal against the ruling dismissing the application for contempt has not been struck out or dismissed.
The substantive appeal is yet to be heard by the Court of Appeal. The lawyers urged the public to disregard any misleading publications not reflecting the official proceedings.
NAY/OGB
Meanwhile, catch up on the latest episode of People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below as Etsey Atisu brings you the story of the people of Vume, known for making pots from clay:
Catch up on this week's episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV as we discussed the topic, Medical Confidentiality. Watch the video below:
