The Supreme Court has in a majority 5:2 decision ruled that Martin Amidu is eligible to hold office as Special Prosecutor. The decision read by Chief Justice Anin Yeboah said the retirement age for public officers does not apply to the office.
Former Deputy Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine who filed the case says a true and proper interpretation of Articles 190(1)(d), 199(1), and 295 of the 1992 Constitution, the retirement age of all holders of public offices created pursuant to Article 190 (1)(d) is sixty (60) years, and not beyond sixty-five (65) years.
Article 190(1) states “The Public Services of Ghana shall include” (d) such other public services as Parliament may by law prescribe
199(1) states “A public officer shall, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, retire from the public service on attaining the age of sixty years”
Dr. Ayine argues at the time President Akufo-Addo named Martin Amidu as SP , he was not qualified because he was at the age of 66. He said this contravenes section 13(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2018 (Act 959).
The Attorney General’s office which has been defending the Special Prosecutor since the court discharged him as a defendant says this reading of the law is not accurate. A Deputy Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame says the office is a Specialized agency and cannot be treated like other public offices.
The case was heard by Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah and Justices Baffoe Bonnie,Sule Gbadegbe, Prof Ashie Kotei, Nene Amegatcher, Agnes Dodzie and Marful Sau.
Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah and Justices Baffoe Bonnie, Marful Sau Prof Ashie Kotei and Nene Amegatcher ruled in Favour of the Attorney General dismissing case against Mr. Amidu.
Justices Sule Gbadegbe and Agnes Dodzie ruled against the Attorney General.
Justice Anin-Yeboah says the written judgement will be available for collection on May 14,2020
