The Sekondi High Court has slapped the Member of Parliament for Esikadu, Mr. Joe Ghartey with a fine of GHS 4,000 in an election petition case filed by Dr. Grace Ayensu Dankwa.
Lead counsel for Mr. Joe Ghartey, Lawyer Frank Davies prayed the court to strike out the application on the grounds that it lacks merit.
At the first sitting of the court on March 16, 2021, Lawyer Frank Davies among other things argued that the petition was signed by the petitioner’s lawyer instead of herself.
At a second sitting on March 23, 2021, the presiding Judge on the case, Dr. Richmond Osei Hwere strike out the application by Frank Davies.
He based his judgment on the basis that the arguments made by Frank Davies is untenable. According to the judge, lawyers act as clients and they have all the right to sign petitions on their behalf. He adds that election petitions are in different forms.
With this, an amount of GHS 4,000 was awarded as fine for the petitioner. Lawyer Frank Davies was represented by Lawyer K. Amoah.
The court is yet to communicate the next date for hearing of the case. However, the National Democratic Congress representative in court were fill of joy.
Communication Director, Mr. Kirk Mensah indicated that the fine is a clear indication that Mr. Joe Ghartey did not win the election on a fair ground.
He expressed gratitude to the court for such judicious ruling.
The court is yet to communicate the next date for the Essikado-KetanDecember 07 Parliamentary election petition hearing.
On the other hand, Deputy Secretary of the New Patriotic Party in the Western Region, Mr. Rex Johnfia urged his colleagues in the NDC to keep calm since the case is about to begin
