Legal Practitioner, Richard Dela Sky has discontinued his legal case against the anti-lgbtq bill at the Supreme Court.
The case has now been discontinued although Richard had filed for Judicial review after his suit was dismissed on December 18, 2024.
Lawyers of the applicant notified the court on February 26, 2025 that they were withdrawing the case following their filing of a notice of discontinuation.
“We decided to let the sleeping dogs lie in this matter so we filed a notice of discontinuation,” lawyer for Sky, Paa Kwasi Abaidoo stated.
In response to the withdrawal, the prosecution led by Chief State Attorney, Sylvia Adusu has welcomed the decision, stating that they were, however, ready to deal with the case.
Meanwhile, the panel took a strong objection to the absence of the applicant, stressing that the applicant, as a learned lawyer ought to have known that his appearance was required despite filing a notice of discontinuation.
“We take a strong objection to the absence of the applicant in court. The applicant being a lawyer should have known that in spite of discontinuation he ought to be in court. Application struck out,” said the court.
Explaining the reason for a discontinuation, lawyer for the applicant said “one of our grounds for contesting this matter to this point was because it’s a private member motion. But the new President of the Republic did not hesitate to indicate that the Bill is reintroduced by the Executive. That totally makes makes our contention moot.”
Legal discourses have erupted regarding the passage of the anti-lgbtq bill following the constitution of a new parliament. The bill was presented to the 8th parliament under the Akuffo-Addo led administration, but proceedings could not be concluded in time before the expiration of the House.
With a new parliament, the bill would have to undergo the process all over again. Since the bill has become void upon the constitution of the 9th parliament, the legal contention against it also becomes invalid.
The anti-lgbtq bill faced legal battles right from its conception, with human rights advocate groups arguing that its provisions violate the fundamental human rights of the targeted group.
Richard Sky, who is also a human rights advocate contended that Articles 33(5), 12(1) and (2), 15(1), 17(1) and (2), 18(2), and 21(1)(a)(b)(d), and (e) of the 1992 constitution become violated once the bill is legalised.
Moreoever, the speaker of parliament, Alban Bagbin, who has constantly thrown his weight behind the bill, has been cited for contempt. But he has promised to see to its successful passage.
Furthermore, despite promising to sign the bill upon assuming office, President John Dramani Mahama has indicated that a better approach would be to ensure that the country’s values regarding marriage and relationship are fused into its educational curriculum.
But religious groups say the president must still sign the bill.
Source: Dehotpress
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