The Director of Legal Affairs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Gary Nimako Marfo, has described the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a High Court ruling on the Kpandai parliamentary seat as a clear vindication of due legal process.
The Supreme Court, by a 4–1 majority decision, quashed the judgment of the Tamale High Court which had earlier annulled the election of the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for Kpandai, Mr Matthew Nyindam. Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang dissented in the five-member panel decision.
The apex court’s ruling followed an application filed by Mr Nyindam, who invoked the Supreme Court’s supervisory jurisdiction to challenge the High Court’s decision on the basis of jurisdictional error.
In its judgment, the Supreme Court held that the Tamale High Court acted without the requisite jurisdiction when it annulled the parliamentary election, thereby rendering its decision legally invalid.
As a result, Mr Nyindam’s election has been restored, confirming his status as the duly elected Member of Parliament for the Kpandai Constituency.
Reacting to the ruling, Mr Nimako Marfo said the Supreme Court had spoken decisively and conclusively on the matter, leaving no room for further legal uncertainty. He explained that the High Court’s judgment had been lawfully set aside, maintaining Mr Nyindam’s mandate.
“I think that the Supreme Court has spoken emphatically that the decision of the Tamale High Court was made without jurisdiction, and so the court has quashed it. Honourable Nyindam still remains the MP for the people of Kpandai. That position is maintained,” Mr Nimako Marfo stated, adding that respect for judicial outcomes is essential to upholding the rule of law.
