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The Accra High Court has acquitted and discharged the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Freddie Blay of the contempt charges brought against him by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

According to the court, CHRAJ failed to provide any substantial evidence of serving Mr. Blay with any letters or subpoena asking him to appear before CHRAJ. The court presided over by Mr George Koomson said unless the officers of CHRAJ were being mischievous, no rational person will act in such a manner.

The court also further questioned why attempts were not made to serve the NPP chairman at his office at the GNPC.

CHRAJ filed contempt charges against Mr Blay claiming that he had been evading receipt of summons which was seeking his response to allegations that he procured 275 buses for his party through corruption.In the motion on notice for the contempt proceedings filed at the Accra High Court, CHRAJ prayed the court for an order to commit Mr Blay into prison custody for disobeying its lawful requests.

According to the motion, on July 6, 2018, CHRAJ received a complaint from the Coalition of Social Justice, requesting the Commission to investigate Mr Blay for corruption in respect of his role in the purchase of 275 buses for the 275 constituencies of the governing political party, the NPP.

After assessing the complaint, the commission concluded that it had the mandate to investigate and, therefore, commenced investigations.