A spokesperson for the petitioner’s lawyers in the ongoing election petition hearing at the Supreme Court, Mr Abraham Amaliba, has said they still have a strong case before the court even though portions of the witness statement of one of the petitioners’ witnesses, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, have been struck out.
The Supreme Court on Friday, January 29, struck out seven portions of the witness statement by the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the ongoing hearing of the election petition.
Lead counsel for the second respondent, President Akufo-Addo, Mr Akoto Ampaw, told the court 10 paragraphs in Mr Asiedu Nketia’s statement should be deleted because in his view, they are “not based on the pleadings of the petitioner, unduly prejudicial and scandalous”.
Lead Counsel for the petitioners, Tsatsu Tsikata, however, objected to the move.
But the court struck out some portions and maintained the others.
Paragraphs 6 and 7 struck out. Paragraph 21 maintained. End part Paragraph 25 struck out. Part of Paragraph 26 struck out. Part of Paragraph 28 struck out. Paragraph entirely 30 struck out. Paragraphs 32 and 33 and maintained. Paragraph 37 struck out
The court adjourned the case to Monday, February 1.
Asked whether this development affects the strength of their case while speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, January 30, Mr Amaliba said “Does it affect our case? No! It doesn’t”
He further told host Abena Tabi that “Knowing who our lead counsel is, these same questions can be rephrased during cross-examination. So it doesn’t hurt our case.”
Source: 3News