A High Court in Accra has placed a perpetual injunction restraining Mr Dan Lartey and the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) from holding its National Delegates Congress today.
A writ filed by Mr Dometi Kofi Sokpor on behalf of four leading members of the party sought a declaration that the organization of the Delegate Congress of the GCPP flouts the provisions of the Party's constitution. It therefore asked the court to place a perpetual injunction on Mr Lartey and the party from holding the congress.
The plaintiffs accused Mr. Dan Lartey, GCPP Leader of unilaterally amending the party’s constitution in order to remain the party’s candidate. Dan Lartey’s hold onto the President ticket is being challenged by Mustapha Togbe Ametu, a plaintiff and a Presidential aspirant.
The other plaintiffs are Alhassan Saeed, National Education Secretary; Richard Hlodze, Volta Regional Chairman and Heward Ladzaglah, running mate of the GCPP in the 2000 Elections.
The Plaintiffs said that together in 1996, they formed the GCPP in accordance with the laws of Ghana and a party constitution adopted, which has shaped and governed the activities of the Party.
The constitution provides among others that prior to the commencement of a Delegates' Congress nominees must come from all the regions to Accra to vote on the election of a flag bearer.
The Plaintiff however accused Mr Lartey of intending to recruit persons from the Kokomba Market and its surroundings in Accra to manipulate them to his advantage.
Further to this, the Plaintiffs accused Mr Lartey of intending to organize the Congress in his house totally at variance with the Party's constitution.
An order for the interim injunction signed by the Judge, Mr Justice K. Akwaah states; "upon reading the affidavit of Alhassan Saeed of Accra, the first Plaintiff/Applicant herein, filed on the 28th day of November 2003, in support of motion ex-parte for an order for interim injunction.
And upon hearing Dometi Kofi Sokpor, Esq., Counsel for and on behalf of the Plaintiffs/Applicants, it is hereby ordered that 1st Defendant herein, his servants, agents and privies be and are hereby restrained from organizing the 2nd Defendant part congress on November 29th 2003.