The High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Isaac Addo, has granted an adjournment to the Vehicle and Embossment Association of Ghana (VEMAG) and 26 others, and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and a contractor, to settle their dispute over the digital enrollment scheme out of court.
The plaintiffs’ case before the court is challenging the rollout of a new digital embossment scheme by the DVLA, which the plaintiffs believe was an attempt to render them jobless.
In a bid to resolve the matter amicably, lawyers for both parties told the court on Friday, February 13, 2926 that they had agreed to an out-of-court settlement.
Prof. Kwame Gyan, representing Original Manufacturers and Embossment Company Limited (the 2nd Defendant), informed the court of his long-standing relationship with Martin Kpebu, counsel for the Plaintiffs, and requested an adjournment to continue discussions.
“This is my first physical appearance. I have a very long-standing excellent relationship with Martin Kpebu… We propose that my Lord is amenable for one adjournment to continue the conversation,” he said.
In response, Martin Kpebu, counsel for the Plaintiffs, agreed to the proposal, citing the rules of etiquette that encourage settlements before litigation.
“I agree. It’s part of our etiquette rules to attempt settlements before mitigating matters. Recent amendment of CI 47 allows court to grant parties to attempt settlements where the parties are minded to so attempt,” he said.
The counsel for the first defendant (DVLA) also expressed no opposition to the adjournment, hoping that the parties would resolve the matter amicably.
Justice Isaac Addo, granting the adjournment, stated, “Since all the lawyers in this suit have expressed a desire to resolve the matter, the court will grant an adjournment. In the event that the parties are able to settle the suit out of court, the terms of settlement should be filed before the next court date.”
The case has been adjourned to February 27.
Background
The Vehicle Embossment Association of Ghana (VEMAG) and 26 others have filed a suits against the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) against rolling out a digital or any new vehicle number plate registration system.
Pending the determination of that suit, the Plaintiffs filed application for interlocutory injunction following a suit.
The Plaintiffs are seeking to restrain the DVLA from rolling out a digital or any new vehicle number plate registration system beginning January 2026.
The injunction requests that the DVLA be restrained from introducing digitalized vehicle number plates or any new registration plates until the court determines the merits of the case.
They are also asking that the DVLA be prevented from implementing any alternative arrangement for the embossment and supply of vehicle number plates outside the existing framework involving the plaintiffs.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
