Indication by Afoko to appeal ruling is very worrying - Godfred Dame

Europa 11:52 - 16 August 2016

The suspended chairman of the NPP was in court challenging the legality of his suspension by the Disciplinary Committee of the party. However, the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court on Monday, August 15, 2016, dismissed the suit.

Godfred Dame, lawyer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the move by former National Chairman of the party, Paul Afoko to challenge the ruling by the Human Right Court as “worrying.”

Lawyers of the suspended Chairman after the ruling indicated that they were not happy and were going to seek redress at the Courts of Appeal.

In a statement signed by Nana Yaw Osei, spokesperson of Mr. Paul Afoko, said: “lawyers for Afoko will carefully study the judgment and launch an appeal against the decision at the appropriate time.”

But lawyer of the NPP in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM said he didn’t think an appeal was necessary but indicated that he didn’t have an issue if Mr. Afoko’s legal team still went ahead to appeal

“I do not have any qualms or whatsoever about the fight not being over. As far as I am concerned, the suspension of Mr. Afoko has been declared lawful by the High Court. Now a greater burden is on him to convince the court of appeal about the irregularities of the decision taken today. This indication by Mr. Afoko is very worrying. It is very worrying…” he disclosed.

According to him, he wonders why Mr, Afoko will “act contrary to the spirit of unity, peace and reconciliation shown by the party by going a further up to the appeal process.”

The NPP in a statement also welcomed the judgment upholding its suspension of the National Chairman. The statement cautioned members not to jubilate over the matter because it was neither a defeat nor a win for both parties but asked them to work hard to return the party to power in the upcoming general elections.