Dr Mahama, others dragged to court for contempt

April 14, 2011 (Page 3 Lead)

THREE members of the People's National Convention (PNC) have dragged the 2008 flag bearer of the party and six others to court for contempt of court.
The three applicants — Dr Somtim Tobiga, Ahmed Jatoh and Abu Seidu Baba Gana — are praying the court to cite Dr Edward Mahama, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, Bernard Monah and Attik Mohammed for contempt of court.
The applicants are further praying the court to also convict Alhaji Baba Mohammed, Col George Luri Bayorbor (retd) and Abraham Kaba.
According to the applicants, the respondents flouted a district magistrate court order which directed Dr Tobiga, his agents and party members, including the respondents, to vacate the PNC party office until the final determination of a case brought against the applicants.
In the said case, the applicants are standing trial for allegedly causing damage and stealing.
On January 6, 2011, the court directed the applicants and party members to vacate the party office until the final determination of the criminal case.
The applicants’ bail was revoked by the court on February 24, 2011 for flouting its order to enter the party office. However, the High Court later quashed that decision after almost two weeks on remand.
The High Court revoked the lower court's order on the grounds that the lower court exceeded its powers.
An affidavit in support of the application for committal for contempt deposed to by three applicants stated, among others, that the respondents flouted the court's order by forcibly breaking into the party's office to organise a press conference.
According to the applicants, the respondents committed the contemptuous action on January 18, 2011 which was subsequently captured on national television.
The affidavit in support further stated that the respondents, who are mostly parties in the criminal case, had knowledge of the January 6, 2011 order and for that reason they had mocked the said order.
"The conduct of the respondents, as described herein, amounts to the showing of gross disrespect, disregard of the authority and prestige of this honourable court and brought the administration of justice into disrepute and should be held and punished accordingly for contempt of court as a lesson to others," the affidavit in support stressed.
The application is expected to be moved on April 20, 2011.