The Supreme Court has rejected a request from lawyers for Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who sought to have Justice Yao Gaewu recuse himself from the panel reviewing the case regarding the Speaker’s declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
During the proceedings on Wednesday, October 30, Thaddeus Sory, the Speaker’s lead counsel, objected to Justice Gaewu’s participation, citing alleged political ties to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which is central to the case.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo briefly adjourned the session to deliberate on the objection. Upon resuming, she dismissed the request, affirming Justice Gaewu’s role on the panel.
Additionally, Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame asked the court to strike out certain paragraphs—21 and 49—from the Speaker’s affidavit, calling them “scandalous” for including irrelevant and potentially damaging assertions.
Joe Ghartey, representing NPP Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, was also barred from making an initial statement, as the court expressed its disapproval of his decision to allow a junior colleague to open the defense, which they deemed disrespectful.
The hearing will continue as the court considers arguments from both sides regarding the legality of the Speaker’s ruling on the four disputed seats.
