The Supreme Court has today, Thursday, May 26, ordered the Attorney General to file his statement of case in relation to the Minority’s e-levy suit within 14 days.
The case was filed on March 30, by three members of the Minority namely; Haruna Iddrisu, Mahama Ayariga, and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
In their writ, they are asking the Supreme Court to declare the passage of the E-Levy Act, 2022 (Act 1075) as unconstitutional, hence, must be set aside.
They argued that Parliament did not have the required numbers when the law was passed.
Last month, the apex court dismissed attempts by the MPs to suspend the implementation of the law which allows for the collection of the levy.
Again, the apex court ordered the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to keep accurate records of all e-levy deductions to enable a refund to payees if it is later determined that the law was passed unconstitutionally.
But in court on Thursday, a Principal State Attorney representing the Attorney General, Cynthia Quartey, urged the Court to extend the time of filing to enable them to file their statement of the case.
Lead Counsel for the MPs, Godwin Tamakloe, did not oppose the request on the basis that they would also get the opportunity to reply to the statement when filed.
Sitting as a single judge, Justice Clemence Honyenuga gave the Attorney General 14 days to file his statement with the assurances of the court that the three MPs will get to respond to the statement when filed by the Attorney General.
Source: myjoyonline