The case filed by National Democratic Congress MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, seeking to compel President Akufo-Addo to receive the Anti-LGBTQ bill from Parliament has been adjourned by an Accra High Court until Monday, April 29.
The adjournment comes in response to an affidavit filed in opposition by the Attorney General. The affidavit was submitted on Wednesday, April 17, just a day before legal arguments were set to be heard in court.
The court had previously granted an abridgement of time for an expedited hearing of the case.
Dafeamekpor seeks several declarations regarding the President’s refusal to receive the bill from Parliament.
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The MP’s decision came after a letter from Nana Bediatuo Asante, the Executive Secretary to the President, urged Parliament not to forward the bill to President Akufo-Addo for his assent.
The letter cited pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction before the Supreme Court against the bill. It argued that until these legal issues are resolved, it would be inappropriate for Parliament to proceed with transmitting the bill to President Akufo-Addo.
Also, the Attorney General has advised the president against taking any action on the bill until the Supreme Court addresses the pending legal suits.
Dafeamekpor seeks a declaration asserting that the President cannot prevent Parliament from transmitting a bill that has been passed to him.
Additionally, he seeks a declaration stating that the President can only assent to or refuse to assent to a bill within seven days unless the bill has been referred to the Council of State, as outlined in Article 106(1) and (7) of the Constitution.
The Attorney-General has requested an adjournment to allow the Office to argue the case.