Fast Track High Court restrains Kpoh, Salifu

Accra, Aug. 16, GNA - An Accra Fast Track High Court on Monday restrained Mr Napoleon Kpoh, Secretary General and Ahmed Y.B. Salifu, National Chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), from holding themselves out as officers of the union. The court presided over by Mr Justice Ofori Atta further ordered Mr Kpoh to hand over the union's vehicle.

A cost of two million cedis each was awarded against Mr Kpoh and Mr Salifu.

Scores of members of the ICU who thronged the court premises jubilated after the court's ruling. A strong presence of police was at the court to avert any trouble.

The court in its ruling said Mr Kpoh and Mr Salifu would not suffer any irreparable damage.

According to the court, plaintiffs could be compensated adequately should they win the substantive case.

Mr Albert Adaare, who represented the National Executive Council (NEC), told journalists that union members should respect the constitutions of their unions. "The constitution of the ICU could not be twisted," he said.

Mr Adaare said Mr Kpoh was never removed from office. "All we said was that his tenure of office had ended. When your tenure of office ends, you give way to others."

"I am happy the court said that his tenure of office had expired," he said, and urged all to respect the orders of the court. Mr C. .K. Koka who represented Mr Kpoh and Mr Salifu indicated he would appeal against the decision of the court.

Mr Kpoh and Salifu in their writ of summons in support of their affidavit were seeking the order of the court to restrain NEC from removing them from office.

They were also seeking the court's order restraining NEC and five members from filing any vacancies in the ICU.