The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal filed by Rev Kusi Boateng, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, against a ruling by the Accra High Court in the defamation suit involving Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu.
The court, presided over by Justice Pamela Koranteng, held that Rev Boateng failed to comply with the court’s procedural rules. The appeal challenged the High Court’s decision to dismiss Rev Boateng’s contempt suit against MP Ablakwa.
In its judgment, the Court of Appeal emphasized the requirement for an appellant to clearly state any errors or misdirections made by the trial judge. The court found that Rev Boateng did not fulfill this requirement, citing Rule 8(4) of CI 19, which mandates the proper formulation of grounds for appeal.
“The grounds of appeal objected to are incompetent and are hereby struck out,” ruled the three-member panel of justices.
Before delivering its judgment, the court addressed an objection raised by Thaddeus Sory, counsel for MP Ablakwa. Sory contended that the reconstituted panel, chaired by Justice Pamela Koranteng following the replacement of Justice Dzamefe, could compromise the fairness of the hearing, citing a newspaper report. He also noted that Rev Boateng is the spiritual father of the Chief Justice.
However, the court found no evidence supporting allegations of bias or unfairness, dismissing the objection.
Source: ghanafeeds.com
