Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has revealed that the contempt case brought against member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been adjourned.
According to him, the plaintiff in the case, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev Kusi Boateng, did not do due diligence in filing the case against Mr Ablakwa, hence, he has been ordered by the court to put his “house in order”. In light of this, he explained that the court has directed Rev Boateng to do the appropriate thing by having Mr Ablakwa served as constitutionally provided, through the Speaker of parliament.
Mr Dafeamekpor iterated that Rev. Kusi Boateng did not use the appropriate approach in serving the writ to legislator, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
“What transpired was that in court, when you hear of a court matter that concerns you, you can waive your right of service and answer the issues. But the judge is of the opinion that because it’s a constitutional right to be served properly through the Speaker of parliament given the status of the respondent in this matter, Honorable Okudzeto Ablakwa, the matter has been adjourned sine die for the applicants to put their house in order.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
In court today, February 21, 2023, Mr Okudzeto filed a response to the contempt application claiming that even though he has not been served, he saw a copy on social media, of which he has responded to.
Mr Okudzeto’s counsel suggested that the hearing is adjourned, a move that was opposed by lawyer for the respondent who argued that his client wants to waive personal service of the court application.
NDC express solidarity to North Tongu legislator
Meanwhile, some party executives and lawmakers who accompanied Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to court have pledged their support to him. Deputy minority leader, Kofi Armah Buah, making an appearance in court, stated that the minority in parliament stands solidly behind Mr Ablakwa.
Mr Buah referring to the absence of plaintiff, Rev Kusi Boateng, expressed that the party is committed to defending the acts by Mr Ablakwa and will go ahead to “fight for the right thing for the people of Ghana”.
“We are here because of our distinguished honorable MP Okudzeto Ablakwa who has dedicated his life in fighting for the right things [to be] done for the country [and] in ensuring that our constitution is upheld… The people of Ghana are committed and support all the right things he’s fighting for. We want to make it clear, today we went to court, and it was obvious that the people who took us to court are running away from their own application…”
Kofi Armah Buah
On his part, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, on behalf of the party, highlighted that the party is not deterred and is unfazed over the case brought against one of its own. He emphasized that there’s nothing that the “forces that are against the truth can do to discourage him or make him feel that what he is doing is not the right thing”.
“The NDC as a party, from the national through the regions to North Tongu, are fully behind our comrade and brother, honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa… We believe the cause he’s fighting is a cause of truth, transparency and there’s nothing that can be done to discourage him, and the party stands fully behind him and that’s why we’re here, to show exactly that.”
Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey
Substantially, the allegations relate to the alleged transfer of state funds meant for the construction of the National Cathedral into a supposed bank account of a company purported to be owned by Rev Kusi Boateng.
However, according to Rev Kusi Boateng, although the claims are misleading, it has enjoyed wide readership, garnering 581 reactions, 135 comments and 126 shares as of January 25, 2023.
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