Court of Appeal throws out Rev Kusi Boateng’s appeal against Ablakwa, awards GHS3k cost against him

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Rev Kusi Boateng against an Accra High Court ruling in the defamation suit involving Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

The court presided over by Justice Pamela Koranteng held that the appellant, Rev Kusi Boateng did not comply with the rules of the court.

The Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral in his appeal had indicated that the judge erred in dismissing his contempt suit against the legislator.

The Court however in its judgement explained that “An appellant must state what error the trial judge made or misdirected himself” which he failed to do.

The court thus maintained that the “Grounds of Appeal do not comply with the rules of the court. Rule 8(4) of CI 19.

“We find the grounds of Appeal objected to are incompetent and hereby struck out,” the 3-member of Justices ruled.

Prior to its decision the court earlier dismissed the objection by lawyers of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Thaddeus Sory had indicated that the reconstituted panel chaired by Justice Pamela Koranteng replacing Justice Dzamefe would affect the fair hearing of his client citing a newspaper report. He also noted that Rev Kusi Boateng is the spiritual father of the Chief Justice.
But the court in its decision said there was no evidence of his allegations and bias.