The High Court in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, has dismissed an injunction application against the Ejisu by-election following its withdrawal by the plaintiff, Emmanuel Gallo.
Initially filed by the Convention People’s Party (CPP) on April 23, the application sought to halt the April 30 by-election pending the resolution of a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission (EC). This lawsuit aimed to prevent Esther Osei from representing the CPP in the poll.
Emmanuel Gallo, CPP's Ashanti Regional Chairman, initiated the legal action, arguing that the party had officially communicated its decision not to participate in the by-election to the EC on April 18.
However, in a surprising development, Gallo withdrew the case, citing calls for unity within the party, including from Naa Prof. Edmund N. Dele Chii VIII, former party chair and current Paramount Chief of Nandom Traditional Area.
Gallo explained his decision, stating, “The same introspection the Plaintiff considers to help with the unity and cohesion within the party. Based on these happenings and calls, the Plaintiff prays to withdraw the instant application and the Suit even though it is clear that the Defendant cannot legally conduct the elections with an illegitimate candidate purporting to be a constitutionally elected parliamentary candidate in the Ejisu bye-election. I pray accordingly.”
In response, the court, presided over by Ellen L. S. Mireku, struck out the application for injunction against the Electoral Commission as withdrawn, along with the suit itself. No order as to cost was issued.
Credit: myjoyonline.com