Joe Ghartey, lead counsel for Effutu MP Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, who filed an application challenging Speaker Alban Bagbin's declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant, faced intense scrutiny during proceedings on Monday, November 11, 2024.

Joe Ghartey, a former Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and MP for Essikado-Ketan, appeared to struggle as he presented his case.

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, who chaired the Supreme Court panel hearing the case, advised the veteran lawyer to “listen to himself” to avoid creating confusion.

Another justice also reprimanded Ghartey, noting he seemed to misunderstand some fundamental social studies concepts.

Background:

The case, filed by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), challenges Speaker Alban Bagbin's decision to declare the seats vacant without judicial oversight or by-election initiation.

Speaker Bagbin’s interpretation of the 1992 Constitution regarding parliamentary vacancies lies at the heart of this dispute.

Afenyo-Markin’s suit contends that Speaker Bagbin overstepped his constitutional authority by declaring the four seats vacant on September 17, 2024, asserting that only the judiciary can interpret the Constitution in such matters.

In his declaration, Speaker Bagbin argued that the four MPs in question had violated constitutional requirements, justifying their removal from office.

The Supreme Court issued an injunction to stay the Speaker’s ruling, which Bagbin subsequently challenged, filing a motion to have the court’s decision reversed.

However, the Supreme Court dismissed this motion, upholding its previous ruling and setting the stage for today’s critical judgment on the matter.

On Monday, November 11, 2024, the court heard arguments from Afenyo-Markin’s lawyers and the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, in the absence of legal representation for the Speaker of Parliament.

The court is expected to deliver its judgment on the case today, Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Watch a video of Joe Ghartey's argument in court below:



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