Dr. Amanda Odoi, a researcher, has filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court seeking sanctions against Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, for allowing the House to proceed with the anti-LGBTQ+ bill despite pending legal actions. In her legal action, Dr. Odoi argues that the Speaker has demonstrated contempt and disregard for court processes.
According to court documents, Dr. Odoi claims that Alban Bagbin has consistently violated and displayed utter disregard for the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana as well as the court process. The documents state, “The respondent has continually violated and shown utter disregard for the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the court process. That the respondent’s clear, intentional, and continuous disregard of the court process necessitates the Respondent being sanctioned for contempt in the public interest and to protect the dignity of the Court.”
The court documents further highlight that the Speaker’s conduct in directing or causing Parliament to proceed with the Second Reading of the bill, despite knowledge of the pending lawsuit and related interlocutory injunction application, demonstrates a disregard and disrespect for the authority of the Court. Such disregard, according to the documents, interferes with the outcome of the ongoing litigation, brings the administration of justice into disrepute, and undermines public confidence in the judicial system.
Dr. Odoi is one of two citizens who have taken legal action against the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General concerning the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. This lawsuit adds to the existing debate and controversy surrounding the proposed legislation, with various stakeholders expressing differing opinions on the matter.
Source – citinewsroom.com
