Afoko’s suit achieved purpose – Lawyer

The Office of Mr Paul Afoko has said the purpose for which he filed an application against the New Patriotic Party’s Sunyani delegates’ conference was achieved, despite the court throwing out the case.

A statement signed by his lawyer and spokesperson, Nana Yaw Osei, said contrary to media reports that Mr Afoko sought an injunction on the entire conference; his preoccupation was to prevent the NPP from discussing anything about the position of the national chairman.

An Accra High Court ruled on Friday that going ahead with the conference will not cause irreparable harm to Mr Afoko or his interest. The Court added that Mr Afoko still had the chance of seeking redress from Court, as he is currently doing in relation to his suspension from the party, even if the NPP went ahead to remove him at the extraordinary conference.

The statement from his office said Mr Afoko said: “We wish to state the facts as follows: That, Mr. Afoko did not seek an injunction to prevent the Conference in Sunyani from taking place as it is being speculated in sections of the media. What Mr. Afoko sought to do, was to prevent the impending Sunyani conference from discussing anything in connection with the position of the national chairman.”

The statement said “even though the application was made ex-parte, the Honourable Court allowed the other side (NPP) to also state its reasons why the application was not to be granted,” and “after listening to Counsel for Mr. Afoko on why the application should be granted, lawyers for the NPP stated that the agenda for the Sunyani Conference did not include any discussion on the national chairman and/or his position as the national chairman.”

“…By this development in court, the party has given the assurance that it will not discuss any issues on the so-called suspension/removal of Mr. Afoko at the Sunyani Conference… By this development, and for the avoidance of any doubt, Mr. Afoko's application has achieved its intended purpose of preventing the discussion of any issues in respect of his position as the elected national chairman of the NPP,” the statement added.