Court of Appeal Grants Injunction Against Amewu in SALL Case

The Court of Appeal in Koforidua has granted an interlocutory injunction against John Peter Amewu, the former Member of Parliament for Hohoe, in a case brought by Professor Margaret Kweku and others from the SALL traditional areas. The court’s decision restrains Amewu from presenting himself as a former MP for the Hohoe Constituency in the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

The Court has also tasked the Speaker of Parliament Rt.Alban Bagbin’ to refrain from processing or paying any entitlements to Amewu as the former MP, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

This development follows the Ho High Court’s dismissal of an election petition against Amewu’s election on July 29, 2024, citing lack of jurisdiction.

The petitioners subsequently filed a Notice of Appeal on July 31, 2024, and an application for an interlocutory injunction on December 23, 2024, at the Court of Appeal. Arguing the application, Tsatsu Tsikata, counsel for the petitioners, urged the court to prevent the Speaker of Parliament from processing or paying any entitlements to Amewu, pending the appeal’s determination. “In the interest of justice, the court should grant the injunction,” Tsikata argued.

In response, Amewu’s counsel maintained that his client had done nothing wrong and that the Electoral Commission should be held accountable for any missteps. However, the three-member panel, presided over by Justice Bright Mensah, ruled in favor of the petitioners, holding that the application was meritorious. The panel’s decision effectively puts Amewu’s entitlements on hold, pending the outcome of the appeal.