(Bloomberg) — Ghana’s Supreme Court deferred a ruling on a request by two citizens to prevent a draconian anti-LGBTQ bill from being signed into law.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
Amanda Odoi, an academic, and lawyer Richard Sky filed two separate lawsuits requesting an injunction to stop lawmakers from sending the bill to President Nana Akufo-Addo for his signature. They’re also challenging the constitutionality of the bill, which calls for three years imprisonment for people who identify as LGBTQ.
A decision on the request to stop the bill from being sent to the president will be made once there’s a judgment on the legislation’s constitutionality, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo said in the capital, Accra, on Wednesday.
“Our decision is to reserve the verdict on the interlocutory application until the final determination of the substantive issue, at which point we will render a comprehensive judgment,” Torkornoo said.
Akufo-Addo’s endorsement is the last step required for the bill to become law, but he could also reject the bill or transfer it to the Council of State for further advice after receiving it.
In March the president said he wouldn’t act on the bill until the court rules on its constitutionality, sparking a row with parliament and creating grounds for the applicants to seek the injunction. Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin argued that the constitution gives the president seven days to approve, reject or seek advice on the bill.
Wednesday’s decision by the top court will delay further steps on making the bill law until it delivers its verdict.
If endorsed, the punitive law could jeopardize $3.8 billion of World Bank funding over the next six years, according to Ghana’s Finance Ministry. It could also derail a $3 billion bailout program from the International Monetary Fund and hurt the country’s efforts to restructure $20 billion of external debt, it said.
The court will continue to hear arguments on the cases challenging the bill’s constitutionality when the hearing resumes, for which it has not yet set a date.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion.
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
______________________________________________________________________
