Just under a week ago (Wednesday, 27 January, to be precise) the human rights division of the high court took a decision to delay hearing of the case which could render null and void, the supposed suspension of Sammy Crabbe, from post as the 2nd National Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The court’s attention was drawn to an error in the date chosen by the court’s registrar to commence hearing of the case. The date settled upon by the registrar was less than 14 days from the day the applicant (Mr Crabbe) filled his case; 14 days being the period usually allowed a respondent to respond.
While media reports immediately after the court’s decision rather hyperbolised its implication, – perhaps inadvertently; given the high-profile nature of the case – lawyers for Mr Crabbe remain confident that the substance of the applicant’s case will not be affected. The postponement of the case sine die (till further notice), which understandably results in some fear of a long delay, is rather very routine and of no adverse consequence to the case. There already are indications that the new date will fall somewhere within the second week of February.
The judge was clear that the delay should allow for all the necessary submissions to be made in time for the court to delve properly into the matter.
Having found his supposed suspension to be a violation of the party’s constitution and indeed, his individual rights, Mr Crabbe filed his case at the human rights division of the high court. He is primarily seeking a nullification of the decision by the party's National Executive Committee, acting on the recommendation of its Disciplinary Committee, to suspend him.
Godfred Dame, who represented the NPP, pointed out to the court an error that had occurred in choosing a date for the hearing and moved for the case to be adjourned sine die. Without a counter argument from Ekow Korsah, Mr Crabbe lawyer, except to state clearly his side’s non-involvement in choosing the date, the judge granted the application; the intent of which was to allow more time for the error to be corrected.
The judge at the same time dismissed the plea to award a GH₵ 10,000.00 cost for the procedural breach, as moved by the lawyer for the respondent. This was apparently in acknowledgment of the fact that the applicant was absolved of any blame or involvement in committing that error.
Sammy Crabbe’s case is one of two very high profile cases involving the NPP. He was targeted for calling similar erroneous suspensions of his colleagues a coup d'état and refusing to recognise the authority of those acting in their stead. He has continued to hold himself as 2nd National Vice Chairman, in defiance to the party’s decision and still has the support of many party members.
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