Bobby Banson Praises Supreme Court Bold Decision: Private legal practitioner Bobby Banson praised the Supreme Court’s handling of Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s application to overturn an earlier order that stayed his decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant.

Describing the Court’s decision as “solid,” Banson noted that the ruling thoroughly addressed all arguments presented, providing detailed justifications for the Court’s stance. Speaking on TV3’s Key Points on November 2, he emphasized the strength of the Court’s reasoning, particularly regarding the issue of Justice Gaewu’s involvement on the panel.

Banson defended the Court’s choice to deny the Speaker’s request for Justice Gaewu’s recusal, noting that Justice Gaewu had been nominated, vetted by Parliament, and approved by the Appointments Committee. Banson argued that political affiliations alone are insufficient grounds for recusal unless it could be shown that the justice had been unduly influenced.

In the broader legal dispute, the Speaker, through his lawyer Thaddeus Sory, contended that the Court’s order to stay his decision exceeded judicial bounds, asserting that the Speaker’s parliamentary rulings should not be subject to judicial stays. According to Sory, the Court’s authority to stay decisions applies to judicial rulings rather than parliamentary decisions, which fall outside the judiciary’s remit under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

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Bobby Banson Praises Supreme Court Bold Decision

However, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo highlighted the importance of addressing the issue promptly to avoid leaving entire constituencies without representation during an election period. To expedite the process, she ordered a fast-tracked resolution involving a shortened timeline for parties to submit their claims and move the case forward within seven days, instead of the standard 14 days. This expedited timeline, the Chief Justice noted, could have resolved the case within the 10-day period initially requested by the applicant.

By dismissing the Speaker’s objections and addressing the matter swiftly, the Supreme Court aimed to balance the constitutional rights of constituents with the procedural nuances of parliamentary and judicial authority.

Bobby Banson Praises Supreme Court Bold Decision