Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu has explained why #Fixthecountry protestors still can not hit the streets despite the Supreme Court ruling in their favour.
He said the ruling of the court has placed the police on the wrong side of history.
Martin Kpebu believes that much has been gained from this ruling than just the intended demonstration.
"We should commend the Supreme Court for coming to the rescue of the ordinary citizens by settling it that the Police can't take our right for granted. When it comes to the demonstration it appears far more complex in fact the Supreme Court ruling is more than sufficient in terms of what we've gained is more than the intended demonstration, at least it has put the police on the wrong side of history that in these matters they shouldn't run to court alone.
He further stated that once there is a motion before the High Court and the convenors have been served they can not proceed with the demonstration.
"...if they intend to go on I understand there is another motion pending before the High Court where the police this time has served the convenors. No, once there is motion they can not and from what I understand they have been served."
One of the convenors, Ernesto Yeboah said they will still continue to mobilise but they will wait on the advice of their legal team.
Supreme Court ruling
The Apex Court in a ruling today nullified the police injunction placed on the demonstration that, according to conveners, is an expression of the youth's discontent for harsh economic conditions among other challenges.
The ruling was delivered today, Tuesday, June 8, 2021.
The police filed an ex-parte motion against the planned protest at a High Court and got a ruling in its favour on May 6, 2021.
The court ruled that the planned protest is prohibited until the restriction on public gatherings is lifted.
“It is hereby ordered that the organizers/conveners of FixTheCountry protest march, their associates, officers, agents, assigns, and workmen are prohibited from embarking on any demonstration on Sunday, 9th May 2021, or any other date until the restriction on public gatherings is lifted by the appropriate authority,†the order secured by the police stated.
Unhappy with the development, the conveners took the issue to the Supreme Court.
Clash
Convenors of #FixTheCountry last week clashed with the police in court prior to the hearing of the case in which the police secured the restraining order against their demonstration.
The police are of the view that the demonstration flouts the prohibitions under the Public Order Act of 1994.
At the high court that Friday, the police said they were concerned about the manner in which some of the holding Ghana flags appeared in court.
The court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey was informed about the incident and she subsequently directed the convenors who are the Respondents in the case to come to court individually.
Six of the 14 convenors who appeared in court are Samuel Alex Kudzordzie, Felicity Nelson, Bashiratu Kamal, Agyapong Foster, Darko Benjamin and Adakye Brownson.