Kenneth Kuranchie, a former member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has filed a writ at the Supreme Court against the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng. Kuranchie is seeking to have the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and its powers declared unlawful, including the powers of arrest, detention, freezing, and seizure. He also wants the OSP's prosecutorial powers to be placed under the direct control of the Attorney General. The Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo, dismissed a petition by former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu calling for Agyebeng's removal. The Supreme Court will rule on the Anti-LGBTQI+ bill on July 17 [437fc7e4].
In another development, the trial of former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi and another individual has been adjourned to October 16, 2024. Nyantakyi is being prosecuted for alleged fraud and corruption after being recorded in a video by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas in 2018. Both Nyantakyi and the other accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The adjournment is pending the outcomes of two appeals filed by the prosecution and the defense. Nyantakyi resigned from his roles at the GFA, CAF, and FIFA and was given a 15-year ban from football. Anas denies allegations of demanding money to kill the story and asserts that his investigative network's mission is to expose corruption [1c4354e9].
Meanwhile, former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has commended former Chief Justices Georgina Wood and Sophia Akuffo, as well as Justices Stephen Alan Brobbey and Dickson Kwame Afreh, for resisting attempts by former President John Agyekum Kufuor to influence the composition of the Supreme Court. Ansa-Asare recalls discussions about court-packing under Kufuor’s administration and cites the case of Tsatsu Tsikata versus the Republic as an example. He expresses surprise at Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo’s letter advocating for the addition of five more judges to the Supreme Court. Ansa-Asare alleges that some judges were promoted over their seniors at the bar due to personal connections with the President and accuses the President of disregarding the rule of law. He emphasizes the importance of upholding the constitution and preventing any undue influence on the judiciary for the sake of justice and fairness in Ghana [974f06a1].
In Gaborone, High Court judge Zein Kebonang has dismissed the State's application for leave to appeal his decision not to recuse himself from a case in which former spy boss Isaac Kgosi wanted his seized guns back. The application was dismissed with costs. Justice Kebonang had refused to recuse himself from the case and proceeded to hear it this year, ordering the state to return Kgosi's guns to him. The State had requested for his recusal, citing his criminal charges with Kgosi and former president Ian Khama, and his brother's friendship with Kgosi. However, Kebonang considered the application unmerited and dismissed it [d10c7eae].
Ghana's Supreme Court has adjourned its ruling on a request to restrain parliament from transmitting the anti-LGBTQ bill to President Nana Akufo-Addo. The ruling means that the bill will not be a part of the campaign for the upcoming presidential election. Two lawsuits are challenging the bill's passage, with one contesting its constitutionality and the other seeking a restraining order. The bill, which has faced international criticism, stipulates jail terms for engaging in LGBTQ sex and promoting or sponsoring LGBTQ activities. Ghana's finance ministry has warned of potential financial consequences due to the bill. President Akufo-Addo has refused to approve the bill, citing ongoing court cases against it [d0222b4e].