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Suspended General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyepong, today [Tuesday], made a rather rare appearance in court in solidarity with suspended Chairman Paul Afoko, who is testifying in a suit filed by Sammy Crabbe, another suspended NPP executive.

Mr. Agyepong’s appearance in court, coincided with the cross examination of Paul Afoko who was continuing his submissions as a witness to the plaintiff, Sammy Crabbe, a suspended 2nd Vice Chairman of the NPP, who’s challenging his suspension.

Sammy Crabbe headed to court over his suspension citing some constitutional breaches.

According to him, one member of the party’s disciplinary committee which recommended his suspension, Gifty Kusi, was not properly appointed and hence had no locus to be part of the committee that took the decision to suspend him. 

The three men, Sammy Crabbe, Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong, believed to be allies, were suspended in October 2015 for “misbehaviour” which included a disregard for party rules.

However, only Paul Afoko and Sammy Crabbe have sued the party challenging the suspension. Mr. Agyepong had until his appearance in court today, remained calm since his suspension.

Why Afoko sued NPP

The NPP’s National Executive Committee suspended Paul Afoko, and the decision was adopted by the party’s National Council, which is the second highest decision making body of the party after congress.

Mr. Afoko rejected the reasons for his suspension and subsequently sued the party for taking such an action against him.

Unconstitutional suspension?

The suspended Chair had earlier described his suspension as unconstitutional and a breach of natural justice.

“The illegal National Executive Committee meeting adopted the illegal recommendations of the disciplinary committee following the rules and procedures laid down by the constitution by appealing against these illegalities,” he complained.

My opponents ‘plotted’ my suspension

Paul Afoko had alleged that the party’s action against him was masterminded by some members of the party who opposed his candidature before his election.

He said the members of National Council meeting that voted to suspend him are his avowed opponents who worked against his candidature ahead of the party’s congress to elect national officers.

“All those who voted at the Council meeting were against my candidature,” he argued.