Odike Withdraws Suit Against UFP
The controversy over the flag bearer position of the United Front Party (UFP) has come to rest as one of the rival flag bearers, Mr Akwasi Addae alias Odike, has withdrawn a suit seeking a declaration that he is the legitimate person to lead the party in the 2012 presidential elections.
He, however, did not assign any reason for the withdrawal of the suit.
Mr Addae was embroiled in a bitter dispute with some of the party executive members, led by the National Chairman, Nana Agyenim Boateng, after the chairman declared him sacked and elections conducted to elect another flag bearer.
Aggrieved, Mr Addai consequently sought refuge in a Kumasi High Court seeking an order permitting him to perform and act as the legitimate and duly elected flag bearer of the UFP.
He also sought a declaration that his purported dismissal as flag bearer of the UFP was wrong and contrary to the UFP constitution and rules of natural justice.
He, therefore, prayed for general and special damages from the defendants - the National Executive Committee of UFP, the Chairman, Nana Agyenim Boateng, Razak Kojo Opoku - a Deputy General Secretary of UFP and the rival flag bearer of the party, Mr Kwaku Antwi Owusu for his wrongful dismissal.
In a statement of claim, the plaintiff also prayed the court to restrain the defendants or any persons or group of persons from purporting to send any person or persons from nominating themselves as candidates to contest or participate in the proposed National Congress of the UFP to elect a new flag bearer until the final determination of the case.
He further submitted that he was a principal founding member of the UFP and at a congress held on December 10, 2011, was elected as flag bearer to lead the party to contest the 2012 general elections.
According to him, he started preparations towards the 2012 elections and that his dismissal had caused him serious financial crisis.
According to the Chairman of the UFP, Nana Agyenim Boateng, the defendants also filled a counter claim against the plaintiff and it was when the case was being prepared for hearing that the plaintiff withdrew the suit.
He said he was consulting his counsel to determine the cost incurred so far with the view of praying the court to award cost to them.
He said they would appear before the court again on October 23, 2012, with the view of also praying the court to order the plaintiff to return a Nissan Pick-Up with registration number GE6655-11 which is in his custody.