EZUAME MANNAN vs. THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT [2022]DLSC11685

Date	2022-07-27
Suit No.	WRIT NO. J1/11/2021
Citation No.	[2022]DLSC11685

DOTSE JSC (PRESIDING)

DORDZIE (MRS.) JSC

AMEGATCHER JSC

PROF. KOTEY JSC

AMADU JSC

PROF. MENSA-BONSU (MRS.) JSC

KULENDI JSC

EFFIBA AMIHERE ESQ. FOR THE PLAINTIFF.

DIANA ASONABA DAPAAH (DEPUTY ATTORNEY-GENERAL)

UMMU ZAKARI (PRINCIPAL STATE ATTORNEY) AND LILLY ADDAE MENSAH (SENIOR STATE ATTORNEY) FOR THE DEFENDANTS

[2022]DLSC11685
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" >EZUAME MANNAN<o:p></o:p>(PLAINTIFF)<o:p></o:p>vs.<o:p></o:p>THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND SPEAKER OF
PARLIAMENT<o:p></o:p>(DEFENDANTS)<o:p></o:p>[SUPREME COURT, ACCRA]<o:p></o:p><div style="border-top: none; border-right: none; border-left: none; border-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 1.5pt; border-bottom-color: windowtext; padding: 0cm 0cm 1pt;">

WRIT NO. J1/11/2021&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; DATE: 27TH JULY, 2022<o:p></o:p>

</div>COUNSEL<o:p></o:p>EFFIBA
AMIHERE ESQ. FOR THE PLAINTIFF.<o:p></o:p><div style="border-top: none; border-right: none; border-left: none; border-image: initial; border-bottom-width: 1.5pt; border-bottom-color: windowtext; padding: 0cm 0cm 1pt;">

DIANA ASONABA DAPAAH (DEPUTY ATTORNEY-GENERAL),
UMMU ZAKARI (PRINCIPAL STATE ATTORNEY) AND LILLY ADDAE MENSAH (SENIOR STATE
ATTORNEY) FOR THE DEFENDANTS.<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p>DOTSE
JSC (PRESIDING), DORDZIE (MRS.) JSC, AMEGATCHER JSC, PROF. KOTEY JSC, AMADU
JSC, PROF. MENSA-BONSU (MRS.) JSC, KULENDI JSC<o:p></o:p><div style="border-top-width: 1.5pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-left: none; border-bottom-width: 1.5pt; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-right: none; padding: 1pt 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 13.9pt;">

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;border:none;
mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0cm;mso-padding-alt:1.0pt 0cm 1.0pt 0cm">JUDGMENT<o:p></o:p>

</div>&nbsp;MAJORITY OPINION<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;KULENDI JSC:-<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;“My own
contribution to the evaluation of a Constitution is that, a Constitution is the
outpouring of the soul of the nation and its precious life-blood is its spirit.
Accordingly, in interpreting the Constitution we fail in our duty if we ignore
its spirit. Both the letter and the spirit of the Constitution are essential
fulcra which provide the leverage in the task of interpretation. In support of
this, we may profitably turn to the Constitution, 1992 itself which directs
that we accord due recognition to the spirit that pervades its provisions.”<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;– François
JSC, New Patriotic Party&nbsp; v
Attorney-General [1993-94] 2 GLR 35 at page 79.&nbsp;
<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;INTRODUCTION <o:p></o:p>&nbsp;This writ
invokes the exclusive original jurisdiction of this Court pursuant to Articles 2(1) and 130(1)(a) of the
Constitution. The Plaintiff brings this action seeking the following
reliefs; <o:p></o:p>&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
A
declaration that Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, Act 1019,
is null and void on account of having been passed in a manner that is
inconsistent with, in excess of, and in contravention of the powers conferred
on Parliament under Articles 106(2)(a), (b), 106(5), (6) of the 1992
Constitution. <o:p></o:p>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
A
declaration that Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, Act 1019,
is null and void on account of being inconsistent with, and in contravention of
Ghana’s obligations under Article 40(c) of the 1992 Constitution. <o:p></o:p>3.<</main>