Court Throws Out Order To Restrain NPP Special Delegates' Congress

An Accra Fast Track High Court has dismissed an order restraining the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from holding internal elections. The former constituency chairman of the NPP, David Hoezame sued the party for violating the party�s constitution and sought the court to restrain his party from holding its Special Delegates' Congress on Sunday. The case was dismissed by the presiding Judge, Justice K.A. Ofori Atta on the basis that the plaintiff (David) neither availed himself for internal party dispute resolution mechanisms nor followed up his case in court. The Special Congress will trim the number of candidates contesting the flagbearership position of the NPP from seven to five. The application of Mr. Hoezame, was originally adjourned to September 2, 2014 by the court for the NPP and its National Chairman, Paul Afoko, to file their affidavit in opposition. However, the NPP appealed to the court to give expeditious hearing to the interim injunction application filed by Hoezame. At its sitting on Thursday, the court, presided over by Justice K.A. Ofori Atta, granted an application from lawyers of the NPP, praying the court to hear Mr. Hoezame�s application for interim injunction and determine same before Sunday, 31st August, 2014. Per the ruling Sunday�s election will come on in all the regions as planned. The Court also charged David to pay GHC5,000 as costs.