Election petition: the petitioner exercised the right to be heard and to obtain the same

General news for Wednesday 10 February 2021

Source: GNA

2021-02-10

Nana Adjoa Adobea Asante, member of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s legal team during the 2020 presidential election petition trial, said the petitioner, through his witnesses, exercised the right to be heard and heard.

She said the second defendant decided not to exercise his right of reply and that in fact a petitioner, who has full confidence in his case should be happy, probably sipping champagne or drinking tea, as respondents decided not to present it. evidence.

She said, however, that it was curious that the petitioner with the burden of proof wanted the chairman of the Electoral Commission, Ms Jean Mensa, to raise the witness stand in another to use the chairman. to prove his case, but this was not heard.

Nana Asante, speaking at a post-trial press briefing, said the second defendant’s request not to call any witnesses was firmly grounded in the law.

“The lawyers, when we go to court, decide what strategy we want to adopt and we, as counsel for the second defendant, have decided not to call our witness and we felt it was a coup. and disrupted the applicant’s camp, hence their lengthy submissions, ”she said.

The Applicant and Respondents in Court on Tuesday February 9 presented their arguments as to whether or not the Respondents’ witnesses should be cross-examined by counsel for the Applicant.

Mr. Akoto Ampaw, lead counsel for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the second respondent, argued that the claimant had failed to meet the burden of proof in the trial and that he had the right not to present no evidence or call a witness.

He said they wanted to file their witness statement as hearsay evidence, adding that “we pray that our request be granted.”

Mr. Justin Amenuvor, senior counsel for the Election Commission, said that looking at the evidence and cross-examination of the petitioner’s witnesses, they did not intend to call a witness as well.

A seven-member panel chaired by Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah set Thursday 11 2021 to rule on the arguments.

Nana Asante said the law is in the bosom of the court and they know that by Thursday February 11, 2021 the court will be able to rule and rule in their favor.

Former President Mahama filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of the presidential election results and resumption of the election between him and Nana Akufo-Addo, the second respondent in the petition.

The petition also seeks an injunction directing the 1st respondent, the Election Commission, to conduct a second election between the petitioner and the second respondent as candidates, as required by Articles 63 (4) and (5) of the Constitution. from 1992.

The trial was adjourned until Thursday, February 11 to continue.