APC to adopt draft Constitution & Resolve Membership
In the wake of the latest hearing of the matter between Alfred Peter Conteh (plaintiff) and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants including the Chairman and Leader of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) party, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, the National Secretary General, Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh, the APC party and the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) respectively, presided over by the Honourable Adrian Justice Fisher on 4th August 2021, the party has been compelled by what sounded as final warning to the 2nd defendant to fully comply with the Orders of the Court regarding various activities culminating in the holding of an emergency National Delegates Convention (NDC), the adoption of the draft 1995 constitution and the resolution of membership not later than 19th September, 2021.
In his Orders, Honourable Justice Fisher reiterated the consequences of contempt of court, in the event of failure to comply with his Orders and made reference to earlier Orders which clearly precluded the 1st and 2nd defendants, NAC members and chairmen of regions from participating in the emergency NDC as delegates. He further clarified that the determination of the legality of the Secretary General and the Chairman and Leader was the subject of a final ruling following the adoption of the draft constitution.
The Orders further state that a 21-man technical committee shall be formed representing all parties, including even the so-called Big-six and mandated to conduct elections for delegates to the emergency NDC. The list of delegates should be displayed and published prior to the convention as enshrined in the 1995 constitution. The NSG has been advised to provide the necessary coordination and resources for the process to take place unfettered.
It could be recalled that a ruling was made in April following an application made by the defendants specifically the 3rd defendant for a variation of the injunction granted on the 26th of February 2021, against all three defendants. The plaintiff had applied for an interim injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants from holding any conference, convention or meetings geared towards selecting or electing delegates or candidates into the party executive for the day-to-day running of the All Peoples Congress party.
Subsequently, the defendants, apparently dissatisfied with the ruling sought leave to appeal the ruling to the Court of Appeal, which application was squashed by Justice Fisher on the grounds that it lacked “arguable merits”.
In July, the 3rd defendant sought an extension of time to comply with orders, which was duly granted to be complied with in 56 days. Unfortunately, it was only after 54 days of failing to comply that the 2nd and 3rd defendants for the second time, applied for yet another extension.
Even though the plaintiff was averse to the second extension, it was magnanimously granted, but under a very stern warning issued to the 2nd Defendant.
A member of the Big-6 who spoke to Sierra Express Media described these latest Court Orders as “a step forward for the APC”.
He ended by saying that even though the Big-6 is not a faction, the group appreciates its recognition and would continue to work constructively to promote the APC party and the interest of its members.
By Abdul Kuyateh
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