Ghanaian businessman Benjamin Yemoh Tetteh has filed a case in the High Court, seeking judicial endorsement of Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s recent declaration that four parliamentary seats are vacant—a move Tetteh argues is consistent with the Constitution.
Tetteh’s legal action aims to bar the four affected MPs from entering Parliament’s chambers or representing themselves as members until the court reaches a final decision.
In the High Court filing, dated October 25, 2024, Tetteh claims Bagbin’s declaration is constitutionally sound, as the MPs effectively vacated their seats by submitting nomination forms as independent candidates, thereby violating the conditions of their election.
The suit names Speaker Bagbin and the four MPs—Andrew Asiamah Amoako, Cynthia Mamle Morrison, Kwadwo Asante, and Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah—as defendants.
Reliefs Requested by the Plaintiff
In his writ, Tetteh seeks several court orders:
Validation of the Speaker’s Decision: Tetteh requests a declaration affirming that Speaker Bagbin’s decision aligns with Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution, rendering it legally valid.
Temporary Restraining Order on MPs: He seeks an interim injunction preventing the four MPs from accessing Parliament or performing their duties as MPs during the court proceedings.
Permanent Injunction: Tetteh also requests a permanent injunction to prohibit the MPs from acting as parliamentarians and entering Parliament’s chamber.
Directives to the Speaker: He seeks an order directing the Speaker to enforce the exclusion of these MPs from parliamentary activities.
