The progression of the suits against the Ghanaian Family Values Bill also known as the anti-gay bill has faced another delay following hearing of the cases on Thursday, October 31.At the last adjourned date, lawyers of both the Attorney-General and Speaker of Parlaiment were ordered to file their processes to enable the swift adjudication of the case.But when the case was called on Thursday, Chief State Attorney Sylvia Adusu drew the court's attention that documents which ought to have been filed by the Speaker's lawyers to enable them attach and file their statement of case had not been done.She prayed for an extension of time to be able to file the statement of case after resolving that waiting for the said document would further drag the case."We have application for extension of time to file statement of case out of time.
We didn't delay out of disrespect for the court."We were waiting for certain documents because counsel for Parliament during a hearing in July had told the court that his attention had been drawn that the Speaker's opinion was available.
So, we were hoping to get it because it was important to our case," Sylvia Adusu intimated."We still have not got it but have to go ahead.
We have attached our proposed statement of case, and we are prepared to file it even tomorrow," she added.Her application wasn't opposed by lawyer for Richard Dela Sky and the Speaker of Parliament.Justice Asare Darko then granted her application and ordered for the lawyers to file their statement of case in 7 days.In the case of researcher Dr Amanda Odoi the same concerns were raised and hence the same orders were given to Attorney- General's lawyers.Whereas Broadcast journalist Richard Dela Sky is challenging the constitutionality of the Ghanaian Family Values Bill with his suit, Dr Amanda Odoi wants an injunction seeking to restrain the bill from being forwarded to President Akufo-Addo for assent.Read also:The constitution has granted hegemony of adjudicative powers to our courts - Senyo Hosi tells Speaker