Supreme Court throws-out case against Gender Minister

The Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out a writ challenging the appointment of Ms Otiko Afisah Djaba, as Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection saying the writ was incompetent.

The apex court of the land could not hear the writ after the plaintiffs’ lawyer had admitted that he had no valid solicitors’ license at the time he filed the writ.

The seven member panel presided over by Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo ruled that: “Counsel admits that he did not have a valid license at the time of commencing the writ, plaintiffs writ is hereby struck out as incompetent”.

The plaintiffs namely Kwabena Mintah Akandor and Ernest Norgbey, Members of Parliament for Juaboso and Ashiaman respectively, on February 9, this year, filed a writ at the Supreme Court challenging Ms Djaba over her appointment as a Minister.

The Legislators were at the court for a declaration that the sector Minister was unqualified to hold her position because she had not undergone her national service which was mandatory.

At the Supreme Court, Mr. Nutifafa Kuenyehia counsel for Ms Otiko raised a preliminary objection.

According to Mr. Kuenyehia, counsel for the plaintiff did not have a valid license when he filed the writ on February 9, this year hence the writ should be dismissed.

When the Supreme Court asked Mr. Godwin Tamakloe whether he had license at the time he commenced the writ to which he admitted that he had applied for the renewal of his license.

According to him he did not have a valid license blaming that on administrative processes.

When Journalists enquired from Mr. Tamakloe over the renewal of his license, he said he received his renewed license on February 20, this year.

He told journalists that he was going to re-file the writ at the Supreme Court.

The other justices on the panel were Sophia Adinyira, Victor Jones Dotse, Sule Gbadegbe, Vida Akoto Bamfo, Ampah Benin and Gabriel Pwamang.

The Attorney General was represented by Ms Jamilla Jakalia, a Senior State Attorney.

Ms Djaba was not in court.

Source: GNA