An Accra High court has placed an interlocutory injunction on the University Of Ghana Student Representative Council (UGSRC) elections scheduled for Friday, 18th August 2023.
The elections will be on hold pending the final determination by the court.
This was after some disqualified candidates and student leaders filed a lawsuit challenging the decision of the electoral commission with respect to the disqualification of third and fourth plaintiffs.
Plaintiffs in this legal action, Raman Yussif, Aki-Ola Aziz (both Presidential Candidates) Samuel Addo, Harry Owusu Frimpong, both members of the general assembly and Christian Bortey Borketey, Richmond Sarfo both student activists, are praying to the court for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain University Of Ghana (the first defendant), the Dean Of Students, University Of Ghana (second defendant), and the Electoral Commission, University Of Ghana (third defendant) from holding the elections.
In their application, the plaintiffs contended that contrary to the requirements of the Constitution, the third defendant unconstitutionally disqualified third and fourth plaintiffs. They also alleged that second and third defendants purported to scrap the decision of fourth defendant.
Speaking to UniversNews in an exclusive interview, Raman Yussif expressed his disappointment in the electoral commission and other stakeholders for failing to respect the constitution.
“I took this case to court because I feel things are not being done right and the very constitution that guides our SRC is being circumvented and it’s dangerous to the future of our SRC. I believed in the SRC Constitution, that is why myself and other students took the matter up at the SRC judicial board.”
He also complained of unfairness on the part of the SRC and their failure to effectively address his case.
“I went to the appeals board for a scheduled meeting where myself or my lawyers were not even allowed to participate and make our case and then the meeting decides my fate and a ruling I have secured. That is sad and the highest level of unfairness.”
“Where else am I left to go to seek redress? Obviously the court of the land. It is important to respect our SRC constitution. We cannot pick and choose when to respect it or not. Let us all jealously guard our constitution and that is why myself and other student leaders are in Court,” he added.
However, Raman Yussif urged the students and stakeholders of the University Of Ghana to remain calm as he is confident that justice will prevail.
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Story by | Frederick Brooks | univers.ug.edu.gh
