Amenfi Central: Joana Cudjoe’s disqualification case adjourned to Nov 11

The Sekondi High Court has adjourned an application by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the court to set aside the injunction on its Amenfi Central Parliamentary Candidate, Joana Gyan Cudjoe, and also dismiss her disqualification.

The case is now set for Monday, November 11, 2024.

READ ALSO: NDC files new application to lift previous injunction on Joana Cudjoe

The adjournment follows a plea by one of the lead counsels of Joana Gyan Cudjoe, Edudzie Tamakloe, who urged the court to expedite the hearing of her disqualification.

Mr Tamakloe argued that further delay of the substantive case would disenfranchise Joana Cudjoe from contesting the December 7 parliamentary election.

The presiding Judge, His Lordship George K. Gyan-Kontoh, while agreeing to the plea to look at the substantive case, urged the parties to try to settle the case out of court even before Monday.

Supporters of Joana Gyan Cudjoe, who attended the hearing, also called for a speedy conclusion on the case to enable her contest on December 7.

“I needed the court to leave the injunction so that the EC would allow us to contest. That is what we want now. We want to be in the game and not just sit back and observe. We are very worried and everything should be quick because we have just one month before the election.”

The controversy surrounds the May 13, 2023, NDC parliamentary primaries, where Madam Gyan Cudjoe won overwhelmingly.

However, dissatisfied individuals filed a lawsuit, securing an interlocutory injunction that temporarily restrained her from holding herself out as the duly elected candidate.

The NDC’s Functional Executive Committee annulled the May 13 elections and conducted fresh primaries on September 8, 2024.

Madam Gyan Cudjoe emerged victorious again, with the EC supervising the process.

The party argues that the September election superseded the May election, rendering the earlier contest irrelevant and reinforcing Madam Gyan Cudjoe’s legitimacy.

Despite the NDC’s arguments, the EC disqualified Madam Gyan Cudjoe, citing the interlocutory injunction tied to the annulled May 2023 election.

The party sees this decision as a gross display of incompetence and vows to fight back.

The NDC demands that the EC restore Madam Gyan Cudjoe’s name on the notice of poll and ballot papers for Amenfi Central.