Judge sitting on Fanteakwa North Parliamentary case recuses himself
The judge disclosed his origins in Begoro, the district capital of Fanteakwa North, and shared that his wife and family also hail from the area.
Justice George Krofa Addae, presiding over the Koforidua High Court-2, has recused himself from the Fanteakwa North Parliamentary election case. He cited personal ties and relationships with key parties as the basis for his decision.
The judge disclosed his origins in Begoro, the district capital of Fanteakwa North, and shared that his wife and family also hail from the area. He acknowledged friendships with officials from the NPP and NDC, some of whom occasionally visit him.
Considering these connections, Justice Addae decided it would not be appropriate to oversee three ongoing cases related to the election. These include a motion to set aside a writ of summons and certiorari, a substantive injunction involving Kwame Appiah Kodua, the NPP MP-elect, and a contempt application.
Justice Addae has referred the matter to the Chief Justice for reassignment and has adjourned proceedings indefinitely.
The controversy began when the Electoral Commission, at its Tesano office, re-declared Kwame Appiah Kodua the winner, reversing an earlier declaration by the Returning Officer in favor of Haruna Appau Wiredu, the NDC candidate.
Lawyers Isaac Minta Larbi Esq. and Benard Bediako Esq. filed an injunction to prevent the Electoral Commission from gazetting and transmitting Mr. Kodua’s name to Parliament. A similar injunction was issued to the Clerk of Parliament to halt Mr. Kodua's swearing-in.
Following the judge’s recusal, Lawyer Isaac Minta Larbi noted that the injunction preventing Mr. Kodua’s swearing-in remains in force, leaving the legal impasse unresolved. The case now awaits reassignment by the Chief Justice.
