A member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Justice Lee Adoboe has filed an application for an interlocutory injunction seeking to stop the swearing in of the newly-elected GJA President, Albert Dwumfuor.
The suit was served to the officials of the GJA on Wednesday, June 29, a day before the swearing-in of the newly elected executives.
In an applicantion, the applicant was of the view that the bribery allegation levelled against Mr Dwumfour should have been investigated before the elections were held.
Justice Lee Adoboe asking the court to declare the election of Albert Dwumfour as GJA President “null and void.”
The journalist prayed the court to give an order for the conduct of fresh elections.
He argued that Albert Dwumfour together with the CEO of Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Samuel Amoh Tobin prior to the conduct of the elections, organized a buffet for GJA members in the Western Region at Atlantic Hotel in Takoradi.
He added that Albert Dwumfour also gave all members present an amount of ₵500 as an “inducement for the members to vote for Albert Dwumfour”.
The plaintiff also claimed that the CEO of Tobinco Pharmaceuticals promised the members other favours and incentives if they vote for Albert Dwumfour.
According to Justice Adoboe, the alleged conduct by Albert Dwumfour is in contravention of Article 52(b) of the GJA constitution.
He noted that despite a petition by the GJA Western Regional Chairman, Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu to the Election Committee for the alleged conduct to be investigated, the Committee went ahead to hold the elections and declare Albert Dwumfour winner.
The suit further stressed that the plaintiff went ahead to petition the Election Dispute Adjudication Committee against the alleged conduct of the newly elected GJA President.
The plaintiff requested for the swearing-in to be halted pending investigations into the alleged breach of the GJA constitution.
But it appears that the Election Dispute Adjudication Committee did not heed the plea of the plaintiff and has scheduled June 30 for the swearing-in ceremony.
To this effect, Justice Lee Adoboe wants a court order restraining the swearing-in of Albert Dwumfour as GJA President.
The newly elected executives are; Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President; Linda Asante-Agyei, Vice President; and Kofi Yeboah, General Secretary.
The rest are; Dominic Hlordzi, Organising Secretary; Audrey Dekalu, Treasurer and Rebecca Ekpe, Public Affairs Officer.
By Vincent Kubi
