Politics
Petition: Akufo-Addo’s Lawyer Wants Portions Of Asiedu Nketia’s Statement Deleted
Akoto Ampaw, the lead lawyer for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, second respondent in the ongoing election petition case, has asked the Supreme Court to delete portions of the witness statement filed for Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress.
According to Akoto Ampaw, about ten paragraphs in Asiedu Nketia’s statement should be expunged because they are “not based on the pleadings of the petitioner, unduly prejudicial and scandalous”.
The paragraphs in question are 6, 7, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33 and 37.
“They are not based on the pleadings, unduly prejudicial, scandalous and accordingly, we would pray that parts of those paragraphs be struck out,” Mr. Akoto Ampaw pleaded with the justices of the Supreme Court.
Lawyer for the Election Commission also endorsed the pleadings of Mr. Ampaw.
Tsatsu Tsikata, lead lawyer for John Dramani Mahama, the petitioner, however, insisted that every paragraph in Asiedu Nketia’s statement is “material” to their case.
Below are some of the arguments Mr. Ampaw raised in court on Friday, January 29, 2021:
Mr. Ampaw argued that, paragraph 21 of Asiedu Nketia’s statement “is not pleaded. There is nothing in the pleadings to that effect. This evidence they are pleading is not based on the pleadings.”
“We also wish to take objection to paragraphs 6 and 7. They are completely out of place with the evidence in chief. It’s not admissible because there are not part of their pleadings. This cannot be part of their evidence.”
“We also take objection to that portion of paragraph 25 which starts on page 5 of the witness statement…We think this is highly prejudicial, scandalous and there are no pleadings to support this. And we pray that it should be struck out.”
“Our next objection relates to paragraph 26 from the sentence that reads, the chairperson of the first respondent allowed herself to be biased in favour of the second respondents…This sentence should be expunged. These are very serious allegations that have no pleadings.”
“The next part we take objection to relates to paragraph 28. No facts have been pleaded to that effect, prejudicial and should be struck out accordingly.”
“We are also objecting to the whole of paragraph 30. It seeks to suggest that the whole exercise was organised by the first respondent with the object of suggesting that the collation and aggregation of votes were introduced without any good reason. He is talking about a piece of legislation. It’s not in their pleadings and unduly scandalous.”
“We also object to paragraph 32. This was not pleaded by the petitioner. It relates to 275 summary sheet results. Nowhere in the petition has there been any reference to any 275 summary sheet and the petitioner had all the opportunity to do so if he wanted to rely on this evidence. He failed to do so and trying to introduce it through the back door. We pray that it should be struck out.”
“We again object to paragraph 33, which is a consequence of paragraph 32. In similar function, it should also be struck out,” Mr. Akoto Ampaw added.
Source: CitiNews
Politics
Video: Renowned Musical Evangelist, Diana Asamoah Prophesies Victory For Alan Kyerematen?
Celebrated Evangelist Diana Asamoah has been cited in a video footage which has since gone viral on social media in which the gospel musician is seen giving words of encouragement during her song ministration to Minister for Trade and Industry Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, urging the man tipped to be the forerunner of the NPP in the 2024 presidential elections to pursue greater heights in his political career regardless of the long hurdles.
Mr Kyerematen is most likely to contest for the flagbearership position of the NPP into the next general elections, sources within Mr Kyerematen’s camp revealed to 3news.com.
Diana who is reported to have been the guest minstrel for a special thanksgiving service at the Open Heavens Revival Chaple in Accra, took everyone by surprise when she converted lyrics in the popular ‘Akukodroo’ worship song to share publicly, what is deemed to be her likely endorsement and support for the Alan campaign.
The evangelist repeatedly stressed a portion of the stanza “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).
It is unclear whether Diana Asamoah, a known sympathizer of the governing NPP was speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
The declaration comes in the wake of similar pronouncements by Leader of Alive Chapel International, Bishop Salifu Amoako who prophesied during the December 31st watch night service that, he saw a vision in which the Minister of Trade and Industry designate, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen was chosen as the next flagbearer of the NPP. A number of pastors have also made predictions of the goodies in store for Mr. Kyerematen.
Source: 3News
Election 2020
I Was The Best Man At Dr. Ayine’s Wedding – EC Lawyer, Amenuvor Shows Support At Contempt Trial
Lead Counsel for the 1st Respondent in the Election Petition hearing, Justin Amenuvor, has shown solidarity to colleague Lawyer Dominic Ayine who was cited for Contempt by the Supreme Court.
According to Justin Amenuvor, he has been friends with the spokesperson for the Petitioner for as long as possible and was even the best man at his wedding thus he was only there to show support.
His statement comes after a judge asked whether he [Amenuvor] came to support his roommate adding that his name was not part of the Lawyers involved in the case.
“Yes my Lord, I came to support my roommate, best man and my best friend. I am not appearing as Counsel but as a friend of Dominic Ayine and a best man at his wedding. He was Commonwealth Hall Secretary in our year, he’s a very good friend of mine. We go way back.”
Dr Ayine was found guilty for some comments he made while addressing the media on February 16, 2021. According to him, the apex court had a “pre-determined agenda” to rule against the Petitioner and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama.
Following the hearing on February 21, Dr Dominic Ayine was called to mount the witness box to explain the reason for his utterances. According to him, it wasn’t his intention to mar the reputation of the Supreme Court and quickly apologized to the Justices on the bench.
The Chief Justice, Kwesi Anin-Yeboah, conditioned that he would only be forgiven if he [Ayine] rendered an unqualified apology and retracts the ‘scandalous statement’ through the medium he defamed the apex court of Ghana on.
Following the retraction and apology, the Supreme Court discharged the case while advising the former Attorney General to be cautious with his utterances and not cause further him to his profession and the Supreme Court.
“We want to struck out having apologized and purge yourself from contempt”. The Chief Justice noted.
Meanwhile, the Election Petition hearing will continue on March 4 for judgement.
Source: GhanaWeb
Election 2020
Election Petition Final Address: EC Admits It Made Errors In Final Declaration
The lawyers of the Electoral Commission (EC), first respondent in the ongoing petition hearing say it is unfortunate that they were dragged to court by the NDC’s 2020 Presidential Candidate, John Mahama.
According to them, the harmless mistake made by EC boss, Jean Mensah while declaring the election results on December 9 had no bearing on the outcome of the election which has triggered the petition.
They further stated that the former President has failed to provide any evidence whatsoever to challenge the election results and for that matter, the declaration of the result and hence, they are calling on the court to dismiss the petitioner’s case.
The submission is contained in the written closing address filed by the lawyers in compliance with the Supreme Court’s orders.
Source: MyJoyOnline
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