Supreme Court throws out Dafeamekpor’s writ against ministerial nominees

The opposition lawmaker was seeking a restraining order against the Speaker of Parliament from approving some ministerial nominees.

The case when called in court on Wednesday March 27, 2024 was immediately stood down for the Court to verify from the Bailiff of the Court if hearing notice was served on the Plaintiff.

The Chief Justice, who was leading the bench, noticed that the plaintiff’s lawyer, Nii Kpappo Addo, had told a staff member not to accept any documents from the Supreme Court.

The bailiff swore that he had to leave the notice of hearing and the Attorney General’s opposition to the temporary court order when the staff of the South Dayi MP’s lawyer told him about the instruction.

The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, argued that this was disrespectful to the court. He asked the court to hear the temporary court order application anyway.

After confirming that the documents were properly filed, the Supreme Court allowed the temporary court order application to proceed.

In his lawsuit against the Speaker of Parliament (1st defendant) and the Attorney General (2nd defendant), on March 18, 2024, the NDC legislator argues that the President should have sought parliamentary approval before reassigning ministers whose appointments were revoked.

President Akufo-Addo on February 14, 2024, announced a reshuffle consisting of 13 ministers and 10 deputy ministers being relieved of their post, while six of them were reassigned into various portfolios.

The Supreme Court rejected Mr Dafeamekpor’s application, affirming the President’s constitutional prerogative to make such appointments.