The Accra High Court has rejected an application that sought to compel President Nana Akufo-Addo to receive the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The suit was filed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor on March 25,2024.
This follows a letter dated March 18, 2024, addressed to the Clerk of Parliament and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, that asked Parliament not to send the Bill to the Presidency again until after the Supreme Court had finished hearing a suit filed against the Bill.
The MP who sent the matter to court sought several declarations and orders regarding the powers of the President under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
Among other things, Mr Dafeamekpor requested for a declaration that, according to Article 106(1) and (7) of the Constitution, a President can only assent to or refuse to assent to a bill within seven days, unless the bill has been referred to the Council of State.
He was also requested a declaration that the President cannot prevent Parliament from transmitting a bill that has been passed to him.
The South Dayi Legislator also sought for a declaration that the letter the Presidency sent to the Clerk of Parliament concerning the Bill is in contravention of the Constitution, hence the President must withdraw the letter.
Joy News reports that in the court today, lawyers for the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice represented by Chief State Attorney Sylvia Adeso argued that the High Court had no jurisdiction to grant the application filed by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor.
The court subsequently granted the motion and dismissed the case.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
