“This is a constitution crisis, we’re living in a country where the Parliament is not sitting” – Chief Justice

The attorney for the Speaker of Parliament has come under fire from Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo for what she perceives to be a postponement of the court hearing on the current vacant seat dispute.

The Chief Justice asked Thaddeus Sory during Wednesday’s sessions why he hadn’t submitted Speaker Alban Bagbin’s documents by the deadline, which was set for today, Wednesday, October 30.

She claims that the matter before the courts is one of national urgency, which is why prompt legal guidance is required.

“This is a constitution crisis, we’re living in a country where the Parliament is not sitting.

“What is going on?” she quizzed.

As a result, the Chief Justice instructed Mr. Sory to submit the document by Thursday’s close of business.

The matter was then postponed until Monday, November 11 by her.

In the meanwhile, Speaker Alban Bagbin’s attempt to reverse the Supreme Court’s decision to halt his proclamation of four parliamentary seats vacant was denied.

Following Speaker Bagbin’s announcement of the vacancy of four parliamentary seats, Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the leader of the New Patriotic Party Caucus, started the legal proceedings.

Among other arguments made in court, the Speaker’s legal team contended that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction in this matter.

The Supreme Court, however, insisted that its previous decision was reasonable after hearing arguments from all parties, including the Attorney General and the Minister for Justice, and declared that the Speaker’s appeal lacked substance.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com