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The Supreme Court has ruled against the application by Ken Kuranchie, the editor of Daily Searchlight, which sought to contest John Dramani Mahama’s eligibility to run in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Kuranchie’s application was deemed flawed by the apex court, citing its deficiencies. Filed in June 2023, the case targeted Mahama, former President John Agyekum Kuffuor, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Attorney-General.
The basis of Kuranchie’s challenge was rooted in the interpretation of the 1992 Constitution, arguing that only a sitting President is entitled to seek a second presidential term. He sought declarations emphasizing the four-year tenure for a presidential term and the requirement for a second-term aspirant to be an incumbent President.
Moreover, he pressed for an order mandating Mahama to fully disclose his parliamentary engagements as a political party’s flagbearer.
Kuranchie also contended that a former President must secure parliamentary approval to hold any office providing emoluments post-office, as they remain in the state’s employment.
In court, the defense for Mahama and the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, highlighted procedural objections, notably the absence of a filed statement of case despite receiving a document titled “plaintiff’s statement of case.”
The defense argued that the court registry lacked the necessary documentation pertaining to Kuranchie’s case, emphasizing that the filing rules dictate submission within 14 days of initiating the process.
Counsel for Mahama, Tony Lithur, emphasized the absence of a case before the court due to the procedural irregularities and requested dismissal.
Justice Kulendi advised Kuranchie to seek legal guidance to avoid procedural errors in court proceedings.
Meanwhile, John Mahama, recently elected as the flagbearer of the NDC for the 2024 general elections, secured an overwhelming majority during the party’s primaries, clinching 297,603 (98.9%) of the total valid votes, marking his fourth nomination as the party’s Presidential Candidate.
