The Sekondi High Court has officially set aside the injunction restricting Joana Gyan Cudjoe, National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Amenfi Central, from contesting the parliamentary election.
The court took the decision following a ruling delivered on Monday, November 11, 2024, after the case’s previous adjournment.
Five people challenged her candidature, prompting an injunction. The court set a hearing for November 11, but attempts to settle outside of court failed, according to Edudzi Tamakloe, the first defendant’s lawyer.
On November 11, both parties arrived at 8:50 a.m., ahead of the scheduled hearing time of 9:15 a.m. Justice Gyan-Konto was ready to make the decision as planned.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), as the second defendant, contended that their party structure violates the public constitution while opposing the plaintiffs’ injunction request.
However, the plaintiffs’ lawyer argued that the issue of Joana Gyan’s eligibility remains unresolved. Initially, the plaintiffs sought an injunction to keep Joana Gyan from appearing on the ballot, but this was denied.
The judge ruled in Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s favour, overturning the previous injunction that barred her name and picture from appearing on the electoral commission’s poll notice.
As a result, the electoral commission must immediately add Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s name to the notice of poll, clearing the way for her to run in the upcoming elections.
Addressing the media after the court ruling, the NDC candidate said, “We thank God for everything that has happened today, especially my new lawyers who came in to rescue me… I thank God and all the NDC members, executives, and all the Western region NDC. I must say I am very happy.”
Her lawyer also stated that “we would like to extend our gratitude to the court for its decision. We appreciate the Electoral Commission’s representative presence in court, as they are now aware that the injunction has been vacated.”
“The basis for Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s disqualification was the injunction order, which is no longer valid. We urge Jean Mensah, the Electoral Commission Chairperson, to take the necessary steps to ensure Joana’s eligibility is reinstated, upholding the principles of fairness and transparency, he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
