New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman, Freddy Blay, has been acquitted and discharged of the contempt charge leveled against him by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

Justice George Koomson in his ruling held that officials of CHRAJ acted incompetently in an attempt to serve the politician with a petition.

CHRAJ had expressed frustration the party leader had been evading receipt of documents seeking his response to allegations he procured 275 buses for his party through corrupt means.

 

The Coalition for Social Justice, filed a petition with CHRAJ in July 2018 and asked CHRAJ to investigate Mr Blay for the procurement of the vehicles. But, there appeared to be a year of cat and mouse game between CHRAJ and the party leader.

CHRAJ said Mr Blay even refused to honour subpoenas. The politician rejected all the accusations and launched his own, accusing CHRAJ of playing politics.

In his affidavit in court, the NPP National Chairman maintained he had at no point disrespected, maligned or disobeyed any directive from CHRAJ.

 

Justice Koomson in his ruling said no evidence had been adduced by CHRAJ to show that Mr Blay received any notice or that anyone received such a petition on his behalf.

He said unless the officers of CHRAJ were being mischievous, no rational person would act in such a manner.

He wondered why attempts were not made to serve the NPP chairman in his office at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.

 

He further said despite letters sent to the officers of Daily Guide and the NPP, no one signed or received them on behalf of the politician.

Justice Koomson awarded a cost of GH¢5,000.00 against Mr Blay.

Mr Blay told pressmen he was relieved.

Source: Ghana|Joy News