High Court Dismisses 3 Requests of Touma, Grants One Until Determination of Suit

The High Court has dismissed 3 of the requests but granted one of Fatoumata [Touma] Njai until the determination of the civil suit she filed against PPP, its leadership, and the Independent Electoral Commission.

“Consequently, the three injunctive remedies sought against the Respondents are hereby dismissed. The fourth relief praying the court for the applicant to maintain her seat as Member of Parliament in the name of the first Respondent is granted as prayed,” the Presiding Judge Justice A.T Osei ruled on 6^th July 2021 .

Njai filed a civil suit against the trio at the apex court on 16th June 2021. The suit seeks various interlocutory injunctions against the defendants [PPP, Kebba E. Jallow & IEC]. 

It also seeks an order permitting her to maintain her seat as a Member of Parliament of the party, until the hearing and determination of the suit.

This development followed a dispute she had with her party at its elective congress held on 26th and 27th February 2021 during which Kebba E. Jallow was duly elected as the Secretary General and party leader under the supervision of the IEC.

The Presiding Judge Justice A.T Osei earlier in his ruling said, although the applicant (Touma) is challenging the validity of the elections, the High Court does not think it would be proper to hold the political party at bay without any leadership till the determination of the suit.

He added that rendering the PPP leaderless would obviously cause great harm to the leadership of the party and the Court is not ready to create that chaos. 

The Judge then urged for the status quo to be maintained until the plaintiff (Touma) has succeeded in proving her case.

Similarly, Justice A.T Osei ruled that the applicant [Njai] is representing a constituency under the PPP ticket and any attempts to remove her from the said position prior to the determination of the case would not only cause great hardship to her but to the entire constituency she represents.

“It is often said that what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander and since the Court has found it prudent to maintain the status quo ante and for the Respondents, the same echo of justice invites me not to interfere with the current state of events, until the matter has been determined,” Justice A.T Osei said.