In October 2017, Jesmed Foday Mami-Suma, Membership Director of the National Progressive Democrat (NPD) 1st Plaintiff and the National Executive Committee of the NPD (2nd Plaintiff) filed an originating summon against the Acting Interim Chair, Vidal Wadiike Williams (1st defendant); Susan Williams (2nd defendant) Interim Secretary General of the Party; and the National Progressive Democrat (3rd Defendant).
The plaintiff prayed the Court to grant the following orders: That the Court order the inaugural convention of the NPD summoned by the 1st defendant herein and held on 7 and 8 October 2017, illegal for non-compliance with and in contravention of the NPD Constitution
The plaintiff further wants the Court to order the Interim Treasurer to present audited annual accounts and the Membership Director to present an update on the total membership of the Party for the period of their tenure to the National Executive Council of the Party prior to any inaugural convention.
Furthermore that the Court grant an interlocutory injunction restraining the NPD elected National Executive at the inaugural convention summoned by the 1st and 2nd defendant herein and held on the 7 and 8 October 2017… pending the hearing and determination of the matter;
Any further order that may seem just to the Court;
On Wednesday 8 November 2017, the presiding judge, Justice Sengu Koroma at the Siaka Stevens Street High Court in Freetown delivering his ruling said for the purpose of being “consistent with the principle of democracy and democratic progression in the exercise of my inherent jurisdiction… I order as follows:
That the interim National Executive in office prior to the commencement of this action continue in office until the holding of a National Delegate Convention within 21 days of the date of this Order. The said Interim Executive shall take the Party to a new convention;
That the Membership Director in office prior to the commencement of this action submits a list of all members registered in the Master Membership Registry who are entitled to vote… within 7 days of the date of this Order;
That a Committee of the Master Membership Registry meet to take a decision on the membership of the first plaintiff within 7 days before the date of the convention ordered by paragraph 1 above;
That membership takes immediate steps within the framework of their Constitution and any other law to amend that part of their Constitution dealing with the period of election of a Presidential candidate;
That cost in the application shall be cost in the cause; there shall be liberty to appeal. ES/8/11/17
By Edna Smalle
Thursday November 09, 2017.
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