SC sets July 29 for Judgment on Abronye’s Presidential spousal salary case

The 9-member panel presided over by Justice Jones Dotse duly adopted the March 10, 2022 issues filed and adjourned to July 29 to deliver judgment.

Is allowance instantly strangers applauded

The Supreme Court of Ghana has set July 29, 2022, to give its judgment on the presidential spousal salary case filed by Kwame Baffoe Abronye.

The applicant per the suit is seeking inter alia a declaration that the decision to pay emoluments of spouses of the president and vice president is inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution and that, the same must be declared null and void.

On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, counsel for the applicant noted that his side does not intend to file any additional processes.

Similarly, the AG represented by Sylvia Adesu, a Chief State Attorney noted that they also do not intend to file any additional processes.

As a result, the 9-member panel presided over by Justice Jones Dotse and consisting of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Justice Lovelace Johnson, Justice Mariama Owusu, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, and Yonni Kulendi duly adopted the March 10, 2022 issues filed and adjourned to July 29 to deliver judgment.

Background

A five-member Committee led by Prof Ntiamoa-Baidu was set up in June 2019 by President Akufo-Addo to make recommendations to him and Parliament on the salaries and allowances payable, and the facilities and privileges available to Article 71 officeholders.

They were charged to make recommendations in respect of emoluments and other privileges for Article 71 officeholders, as specified under the Constitution; and also to examine any other relevant matter which the committee deemed appropriate to its work.

In his writ filed in July 2021, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Chairman Abronye is praying the Highest Court of the Land to declare among others that;

1.The approval by parliament to pay salaries to the first and Second Ladies is inconsistent with Article 71 clauses 1 and 2 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and consequently be declared null, void, and unenforceable’’.

2. That per Article 71(1) and (2); the positions of the First and Second Ladies of Ghana do not fall under the category of Public Office Holders.

3. Furthermore that per Article 71 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic; the Emolument committee is limited to recommending the salaries and other benefits and privileges of only public officeholders.