Minister Usurps Judicial Powers �As He Sets Aside Court Order

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, alias Lion, could soon be cited for contempt of Court as he has unilaterally decided to set aside a Court order. An Accra High Court had given an order for the demolition of structures on the Akokorfoto, Dansoman lands but the Regional Minister singularly directed for a stay of execution of the Court order. It would be recalled that an application for a Mandamus Order to the High Court by the Adam Kwatei Family of Gbawe, the legal owners of the land,against the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) was duly granted by Justice Peter Dei Ofei on the 14th January 2013. The Mandamus ordered the AMA to carry out its statutory duty/ function to remove all the unauthorised structures on the Akukorfo to land since the developers did not have legal documents or building permits was duly granted in the High Court by Justice Peter Dei Ofei in 14th January 2013. On July 2nd 2014, Mr. Afotey Agbo after receiving a letter and the Mandamus that was served on the AMA on 24th January 2014, wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of the Ghana Police Service, indicating his support for the action. The said letter which was written and signed on his behalf by Charles Kotey, Director, F&A stated, "I have been directed by the Hon. Greater Accra Regional Minister to acknowledge receipt of your letter with Ref. NO. ARHQ.11/A15,165 dated 24th January 2014 on the above subject. The Hon. Minister has no objection to demolition order in respect of the above mentioned Suit from the High Court and therefore requests that you execute the orders of the Court." Surprisingly, nine (9) days after writing this letter to the Ghana Police Service asking for the execution of the High Court order, the same Charles Kotey, Director, F&A again wrote another letter on behalf of the Minister, Nii Afotey Agbo, this time requesting for a stay of execution of the order for the demolition. This second letter written to the Regional Commander of Police, stated "I am directed by the Regional Minister to request you to stay execution of the order for demolition while the Minister makes the effort to contact the stakeholders for an amicable solution." The action by the Minister has sent many tongues wagging as to how a Minister could on his own volition set aside an order by a Court of competent jurisdiction. Please stay tuned�