Vacant seat case: Objection against empanelling of Justice Gaewu dismissed
By DL News
Published
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This decision came on October 30, after Thaddeus Sory, counsel for the Speaker, argued that Justice Gaewu’s previous political affiliations could lead to a conflict of interest.
The Supreme Court today dismissed a motion challenging the inclusion of Justice Ernest Gaewu in a legal dispute involving Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin.
This decision came on October 30, after Thaddeus Sory, counsel for the Speaker, argued that Justice Gaewu’s previous political affiliations could lead to a conflict of interest.
Sory’s argument was based on Gaewu’s past role as a parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ghana's current ruling party, implying that these associations might sway his judgment in the case.
The Speaker's legal team requested that Justice Gaewu recuse himself, citing concerns that his ties to the NPP could compromise impartiality in proceedings related to the Speaker’s declaration of certain parliamentary seats as vacant.
Their appeal emphasized the need for a neutral judicial perspective in cases involving parliamentary decisions, given the importance of unbiased rulings.
The Supreme Court began hearings on October 30, as Speaker Bagbin aims to reverse a previous ruling that placed a stay of execution on his declarations, which could impact representation and the political balance in Parliament.
Representing the Speaker, Thaddeus Sory highlighted Justice Gaewu’s political background, noting, “He was known to be associated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and had stood as a parliamentary candidate in one of their constituencies in the Volta Region.”
However, despite these concerns, the Supreme Court chose to retain Justice Gaewu on the panel, setting the stage for a significant legal examination with potential implications for judicial neutrality and legislative integrity in Ghana.
