Minority suspends BOG demo as court postpones hearing of preliminary objection

The planned #OccupyBOG protest by the Minority in Parliament tomorrow, September 5, has hit a snag because the Accra High Court has adjourned the hearing of preliminary objections raised by its lawyers against the Police to Friday, September 8.

In a statement on August 30, the police indicated that they had sought legal redress at the court following the decision by the Minority and the NDC to proceed with their demonstration despite its warning to them not to include their BOG head office from their planned routes.

According to the police, the decision was based on public safety concerns.

But the Director of Legal Affairs of the NDC, Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, on Monday, September 4, objected to the capacity of the police to carry out the action to injunct the protest on their own accord.

He argued that the signing of the motion paper by Superintendent of Police Sylvester Asare offends Section 19(a) of the State Proceedings Act and ought to be annulled as defective.

Lawyer Tamakloe further reasoned that, per Article 88(5) of the 1992 Constitution, it is only the Attorney General that can institute the instant action.

However, the police insisted that the motion was competent and ought to be heard.

With the court expected to rule on the preliminary objection on Friday, the Minority would have to await the ruling before it could proceed with their demonstration.

Notwithstanding, Minority leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato-Forson has assured supporters of his party that they are bent on embarking on the demonstration.