An Accra High Court has rejected an application by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to stay execution of an earlier ruling that mandated the release of withheld West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.
WAEC had withheld the results of about 10,000 WASSCE candidates across multiple subjects, citing alleged examination malpractices and irregularities in its December 30, 2024, announcement.
However, on January 30, 2025, the High Court ruled in favor of four students who petitioned on behalf of all affected candidates. The court ordered WAEC to release the results without any prejudicial footnotes, stating that the council’s reasons for withholding them were vague and inconsistent.
The court further held that indefinite withholding of the results could hinder students’ academic and professional prospects.
Despite the ruling, WAEC sought a stay of execution pending an appeal. However, at a hearing on February 20, 2025, presiding judge Justice Ali Baba Abature dismissed the application, ruling that WAEC failed to provide sufficient justification for its actions. The court also imposed a GHS 5,000 fine on WAEC.
