The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has lodged an appeal against the recent decision of the High Court.
This decision dismissed his plea to compel President Akufo-Addo and Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to act on a bill within seven days.
The appeal, submitted on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, argues that “the High Court failed to reasonably and fairly exercise its discretion when rejecting the Applicant’s Application for Judicial Review in the Nature of Mandamus.”
On Monday, April 29, the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Ellen Lordina Serwah Mireku, noted that while it holds jurisdiction to hear the mandamus, two ongoing cases before the Supreme Court challenge parliamentary procedures.
These matters, being constitutional, are deemed for the apex court to address.
The court opined that it would be unfit to compel the respondents, Alban Bagbin and Akufo-Addo, to act on the bill amidst pending cases before the apex court.
However, exercising its discretion, the court dismissed the plea that sought to compel the Speaker to transmit the bill to the President and for the President to receive it.
Following the ruling, the applicant, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, through his legal team led by Nii Kpakpo Samoa, filed a notice of appeal to contest the High Court’s decision.
The notice of appeal states: “Please take notice that the Applicant/Appellant, dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court (General Jurisdiction) in Accra contained in the ruling of Her Ladyship Ellen Serwaa L. Mireku, J., dated April 29, 2024, hereby appeals to the Court of Appeal on the grounds set out in paragraph 3 of this Notice of Appeal and will, at the hearing of this appeal, seek the reliefs set out in paragraph 4.”
According to the filed document, the appellant has concerns regarding “the entire ruling.”
He asserts that the grounds of his appeal are founded on the belief that “the ruling is against the weight of evidence.”
The appellant indicates that additional grounds will be submitted upon receipt of the Record of Appeal.
The appellant and his legal representatives aim to have the High Court’s ruling reversed and annulled.