Supreme Court rules on vacant seats case

The Supreme Court has overturned Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s October 17, 2024, decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant, deeming it unconstitutional.

In a 5-2 majority ruling delivered on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the seven-member panel, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, ruled in favor of Efutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who had filed the case challenging the Speaker’s declaration.

Chief Justice Torkornoo noted that a detailed explanation of the ruling would be made available at the Registrar’s office by Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

“By a majority decision of five to two, with Justices Lovelace Johnson and Ahmadu Tanko dissenting on the issue of jurisdiction, the plaintiff’s action is upheld. The court’s full reasons and orders will be filed with the registrar by the close of tomorrow, November 13, 2024. This is the judgment of the court,” she announced.