Legal counsel for the Electoral Commission (EC), Justin Amenuvor, has told justices at the Supreme Court that the Petitioner in the 2020 election petition has not made any case as far as the petition is concerned.
He added that; the 1st respondent therefore wishes to waive the rights to call any witness, even though Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the EC has had a witness statement filed on her behalf.
This was after the Petitioner John Dramani Mahama had closed his case after calling three witnesses.
“Given the evidence of the petitioner’s witnesses under cross examination so far of those witnesses speaking for the 1st respondent, it the 1st respondents case that we do not wish to lead any further evidence and therefore we are praying that this matter proceeds under Order 36 Rule 43 and CI 87 rule 3 (e) 5, we hereby and on that basis close our case,” Mr. Amenuvor remarked to the court.”
Akoto Ampaw, counsel for the 2nd Respondent also gave an indication that; they intend not to call any witness despite Peter Mac Manu, filing a witness statement.
Tsatsu Tsikata who is lead counsel for the Petitioner said, the EC Chairperson cannot run away from cross-examination and ought to mount the witness box.
The court after hearing the parties directed the parties to make a legal argument on Tuesday for the court to decide on whether the chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa will mount the witness box to testify or not.
Earlier a witness for the petitioner who was crossed examined electronically by counsels for the 1st and 2nd Respondents because of his medical condition Rojo Mettle Nunoo who was at the national election collation centre otherwise known as the “strong room” together with Dr. Kpese Whyete who last week gave his testimony, listed some material irregularities during the entire process of the December 7, 2020, Presidential Election. The witness insisted he was instructed to leave the strong room before the announcement of the disputed election results by the EC chairperson, Jean Adukwe Mensah.
