Traders curse judiciary: in Tudu turf war
Gilbert Boyefio
11/05/2009
Tomatoes sellers at the Tudu Aflao Lorry Station Thursday expressed their utmost displeasure at a ruling made by an Accra Fast Track High Court that would prevent them from plying their trade at the station.
As far as they were concerned, the fight is not yet over, because they believe their human rights have been interfered with, though they gave no indications of appealing against the sentence. By the ruling, the women were also ordered not to interfere with construction works being undertaken by a private developer, Sikaman Continental Agency, on the land.
The women who had besieged the court premises earlier in the day in their numbers immediately, waving red flags and wearing red attire, started cursing the judge, Justice David Ofusu-Quartey as well as lawyers in the case, after the ruling was made by the judge. Not even the intervention of their lawyer, F A Yeboah, could calm them down.
Some of them went nude to reinforce their curses amidst the uttering of unprintable profane words, swearing that they were going to march to the Castle for redress.
The tomatoes sellers alleged that the judge has been bribed, hence the unfavourable outcome of the case. According to them, the order of the court would render them jobless.
The High Court incurred the wrath of the tomato sellers when it ruled that construction works at the station by Continental Sikaman Agencies Limited should resume. Not even the cautioning and discharge of the tomato sellers of contempt charges brought against them earlier, of which they were convicted by the court, could appease them.
Also to be discharged of the same case of contempt of court were Nii Armah Ashietey, the new Greater Accra Regional Minister; F T Nartey, Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council; J A Tufour, Director of Administration, Accra Metropolitan Assembly and Chief Okai, Metro Chief Security Coordinator.
According to the judge, he was impressed by the apology of the plaintiffs for repentance. "They have done what is honourable by purging themselves of the contempt of court charge. I therefore unconditionally discharge them,” he said.
This follows an apology to the court by the respondents, who claimed their action was not intended to disrespect the court. They also told the court that they are ready to withdraw the The court then went ahead to review the order for the contractor to resume working on the site, indicating that he is willing to extend the time for the completion of the project. He warned that he “would not tolerate any indiscipline on the project site.”
The court committed the new Greater Accra Regional Minister and the three public officials for contempt when they disobeyed the orders of the court by mobilizing policemen and guards to halt construction work at the Tudu Lorry Park. The Fast Track High Court had earlier ordered Kwame Danquah of Continental Sikaman Agencies Limited to complete work on the Lorry Park within 12 months and in an undertaking provide shops to the traders as soon as work was completed.
The suit said the four, who were aware of a pending suit, ignored the orders of the court and went ahead to halt work at the lorry station. Their conduct, therefore, according to the court, should not go unpunished.
Meanwhile, the same court found eight members of the Tomato Traders Association guilty for contempt of court but deferred sentencing them pending a review of their conduct. The eight, who the same court believed were aware of the suit, destroyed materials meant for work and moved to the foundation platform and turned it into a market place for trading in their vegetables.
11/05/2009
Tomatoes sellers at the Tudu Aflao Lorry Station Thursday expressed their utmost displeasure at a ruling made by an Accra Fast Track High Court that would prevent them from plying their trade at the station.
As far as they were concerned, the fight is not yet over, because they believe their human rights have been interfered with, though they gave no indications of appealing against the sentence. By the ruling, the women were also ordered not to interfere with construction works being undertaken by a private developer, Sikaman Continental Agency, on the land.
The women who had besieged the court premises earlier in the day in their numbers immediately, waving red flags and wearing red attire, started cursing the judge, Justice David Ofusu-Quartey as well as lawyers in the case, after the ruling was made by the judge. Not even the intervention of their lawyer, F A Yeboah, could calm them down.
Some of them went nude to reinforce their curses amidst the uttering of unprintable profane words, swearing that they were going to march to the Castle for redress.
The tomatoes sellers alleged that the judge has been bribed, hence the unfavourable outcome of the case. According to them, the order of the court would render them jobless.
The High Court incurred the wrath of the tomato sellers when it ruled that construction works at the station by Continental Sikaman Agencies Limited should resume. Not even the cautioning and discharge of the tomato sellers of contempt charges brought against them earlier, of which they were convicted by the court, could appease them.
Also to be discharged of the same case of contempt of court were Nii Armah Ashietey, the new Greater Accra Regional Minister; F T Nartey, Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council; J A Tufour, Director of Administration, Accra Metropolitan Assembly and Chief Okai, Metro Chief Security Coordinator.
According to the judge, he was impressed by the apology of the plaintiffs for repentance. "They have done what is honourable by purging themselves of the contempt of court charge. I therefore unconditionally discharge them,” he said.
This follows an apology to the court by the respondents, who claimed their action was not intended to disrespect the court. They also told the court that they are ready to withdraw the The court then went ahead to review the order for the contractor to resume working on the site, indicating that he is willing to extend the time for the completion of the project. He warned that he “would not tolerate any indiscipline on the project site.”
The court committed the new Greater Accra Regional Minister and the three public officials for contempt when they disobeyed the orders of the court by mobilizing policemen and guards to halt construction work at the Tudu Lorry Park. The Fast Track High Court had earlier ordered Kwame Danquah of Continental Sikaman Agencies Limited to complete work on the Lorry Park within 12 months and in an undertaking provide shops to the traders as soon as work was completed.
The suit said the four, who were aware of a pending suit, ignored the orders of the court and went ahead to halt work at the lorry station. Their conduct, therefore, according to the court, should not go unpunished.
Meanwhile, the same court found eight members of the Tomato Traders Association guilty for contempt of court but deferred sentencing them pending a review of their conduct. The eight, who the same court believed were aware of the suit, destroyed materials meant for work and moved to the foundation platform and turned it into a market place for trading in their vegetables.
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