Australian police department raises concerns over Tolon MP’s conviction, NDC seeks nullification
Habib Iddrisu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tolon
The election of Habib Iddrisu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tolon, has come under scrutiny following a letter received from the Australian Police Department, alleging his conviction for a crime.
In response, Yaw Brogya Genfi of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking the nullification of Iddrisu’s election based on constitutional provisions.
Brogya Genfi lodged a writ at the Supreme Court on Monday, invoking the court’s original jurisdiction to interpret and enforce the 1992 Constitution. The writ names Habib Iddrisu, the Electoral Commission (EC), and the Attorney-General (A-G) as defendants.
According to Genfi, Iddrisu’s conviction for fraud in Australia prior to the 2020 election disqualifies him from serving as an MP under Article 94(2)(c)(i) of the Constitution.
Article 94(2)(c)(i) of the 1992 Constitution stipulates that individuals convicted of crimes such as high treason, fraud, dishonesty, or moral turpitude are ineligible to hold parliamentary office. Genfi’s case specifically focuses on the fraud and dishonesty aspect of this constitutional provision.
However, Article 94(5) of the Constitution states that individuals falling under Article 94(2)(c)(i) are not disqualified from serving as legislators if ten years have passed since the completion of their sentence.
The plaintiff argues that Habib Iddrisu, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as an MP, was a resident of Australia before entering politics.
Genfi alleges that while residing in Australia, Iddrisu fraudulently used the credit card of a Cameroonian national named Gideon Tafon to make purchases, resulting in charges and subsequent conviction.
The plaintiff presents evidence in the form of a letter dated December 5, 2011, from the Western Australia Police, Murdoch Police Station, to Gideon Tafon. The letter informs Tafon that an order of restitution in his favor, amounting to $4,999, was issued by the magistrate following Iddrisu’s conviction.
According to Genfi, at the time Iddrisu submitted his nomination forms for the Tolon MP position, he had already been convicted by a court of law. Therefore, Genfi argues that Iddrisu’s participation in the elections was unconstitutional.
These developments were highlighted during a recent episode of the popular Ghanaian show, WADR, hosted by Kevin Taylor. Taylor discussed the content of the letter and the alleged involvement of the Tolon MP in the aforementioned case.
The Supreme Court will now deliberate on the matter, determining whether the allegations against Habib Iddrisu warrant the nullification of his election as MP for Tolon.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
