The Supreme Court has decisively dismissed an objection from Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin's legal team regarding Justice Yao Gaewu’s participation in the ongoing case concerning the Speaker's ruling on four vacant parliamentary seats.

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, presiding over the bench, labelled the objection as “misconceived,” asserting that the case is rooted in constitutional law, not party politics.

During the hearing on Wednesday, 30 October 2024, Chief Justice Torkonoo clarified that Justice Gaewu's purported ties to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would not compromise his impartiality.

After considering an initial objection from Speaker Bagbin's counsel, Thaddeus Sory, the Chief Justice briefly adjourned the proceedings before confirming that Justice Gaewu would remain on the panel.

The court also addressed a motion from Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, who requested the removal of paragraphs 21 and 49 from the Speaker’s affidavit, deeming them “scandalous” and irrelevant to the matter at hand.

Chief Justice Torkonoo indicated that this objection would be evaluated in the final judgment.

Additionally, Joe Ghartey, counsel for NPP Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, was reprimanded for violating court protocols by allowing junior counsel to open the defence.

As a result, MGharr. tey was barred from making a preliminary statement during the proceedings.

The hearing is set to continue, as the court examines the legality of the Speaker’s decision regarding the four disputed parliamentary seats.