High Court Sets Date for Ruling in Contempt Case Against EC Chairperson

The High Court in Tema has scheduled a ruling for November 24, 2023, in a contempt case filed against the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, and her two deputies. They are facing charges of contempt of court relating to the limited voter registration exercise.

The case was initiated by Precious Ayitah, who sought to hold Mrs. Mensa, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, and Samuel Tettey in contempt of court for proceeding with the limited voter registration exercise in the EC’s district offices, despite an injunction application intended to halt the process.

Justice Patricia Quansah presided over the court proceedings and instructed the involved parties to submit their written arguments by November 16, 2023. The final ruling is set to take place on November 24, 2023.

Security was notably tight as the respondents, Mrs. Mensa, Dr. Asare, and Mr. Tettey, appeared in court under heavy military and police escort.

Precious Ayitah, a resident of Otsebleku near Afienya in the Greater Accra Region, claimed that the respondents received the originating motion on notice and interlocutory injunction on September 8, 2023, with the aim of restraining them from proceeding with the limited registration exercise. Ayitah asserted that the respondents proceeded with the registration exercise in the district offices, ignoring the injunction application, thereby showing contempt for the court.

Reindolf Twumasi Ankrah, one of the lawyers representing the applicant, explained that the originating motion on notice was now irrelevant, leading the client to pursue the contempt application instead. He sought the court’s permission to present an oral submission, but Justice Patricia Quansah directed both parties to submit written arguments by November 16, reserving the hearing for November 24.

The lawyer for the EC chairperson and her deputies, Justin Amenuvor, indicated that his clients had submitted an affidavit in opposition to the contempt suit. The case is poised for a significant decision that will impact the ongoing legal dispute concerning the limited voter registration exercise.

Summary: The High Court in Tema has set a date, November 24, 2023, for a ruling on a contempt case against the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, and her deputies. They are accused of contempt of court for proceeding with the limited voter registration exercise despite an injunction application. The case was brought forward by Precious Ayitah, and the court has instructed both parties to submit written arguments by November 16. Security was tight during the court proceedings, and the final ruling is anticipated to have a significant impact on the ongoing legal dispute.