‘We’ll appeal denied application seeking to compel Akufo-Addo to act on anti-LGBT bill’ — Lawyer for plaintiff

Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, the lawyer representing Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has revealed that they will appeal a High Court ruling that rejected his application to compel President Nana Akufo-Addo to accept and act on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

Dafeamekpor had filed a mandamus application at the Accra High Court seeking to compel the Speaker of Parliament to submit the passed anti-LGBTQ+ bill to the President within 7 days.

He also wanted the President to either sign the bill into law or communicate to Parliament why he cannot assent to it within the same period.

However, in her ruling on Monday, April 29, Justice Ellen Mireku of the Accra High Court said while the court had jurisdiction over the case, she was exercising her discretionary powers to dismiss the application.

Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, following the ruling, expressed disappointment.

The legal practitioner indicated they will be appealing the High Court's decision, arguing the case before the Supreme Court, cited by the court, concerns only the constitutionality of the bill and not the mandamus suit.

“The argument from the attorney general’s office was in two or three folds, one that the court didn't have jurisdiction over the matter because it was before the Supreme Court. The court itself, from the ruling, said we have satisfied the condition for the grant of the mandamus application.

“The court say the case is before the Supreme Court but we say it is only about the bill’s constitutionality and has nothing to do with the mandamus application. We believe that we have a good ground for taking this matter to the court of appeal," he told Accra-based Asaase Radio.

The appeal will seek to overturn Justice Mireku's dismissal and compel the President to take action on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill as required by the Constitution.