General News of Tuesday, 21 August 2007

Source: GNA

NPP supporters' files suit against parliamentary contestant

Kumasi, Aug. 21, GNA- Two staunch members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the New Edubiase constituency in Ashanti has filed a suit restraining Mr Justice Asafo-Adjaye of Adansi-Akrofuom from participating in the parliamentary primaries of the constituency. The suit filed at a Kumasi High Court is seeking an order for an interim injunction restraining Mr Asafo-Adjaye from the elections slated for Thursday, August 23.

Mr Kwabena Attobra, counsel for Kofi Dankwa and Adansi Gyimah, the plaintiffs, would move the motion in court on Wednesday, August 22. An affidavit supporting the application by both plaintiffs said defendant does not live in New Edubiase contrary to Article 11 (4) and (II) of the NPP constitution.

The section states among others "No member shall be entitled to apply for nomination as the Party parliamentary candidate for any constituency unless he is known to be an active member for at least two years".

Plaintiffs therefore, in a statement of claim, prayed the court to restrain the defendant from taking part in the said elections on the grounds that defendant has never resided in the New Edubiase constituency or any town within it for any known period. Plaintiffs are therefore taking the necessary steps to stop him from being imposed on members of the party since that would deny the party the chance to wrest the parliamentary seat from the National Democratic Congress, the claim said.