Credible Reports reaching this portal indicates that the flagbearer of the NDC for the 2020 elections, John Dramani Mahama is likely to withdraw his Petition if his lead counsel, Tsatsu Tsikata is unable to secure a favorable review decision tomorrow.
The lawyers for the 2020 NDC Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama have filed an application for review of the Supreme Court’s ruling that prevented him from reopening his case.
John Mahama, who is the petitioner, had urged the court to grant his request saying he intends to subpoena EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa to testify in the ongoing election petition.
Lead counsel for Mr Mahama, Tsatsu Tsikata who argued the case, said they were taken by surprise when the EC Chairperson opted not to testify after submitting a witness statement, hence the decision to reopen the case and ask for a subpoena.
He insisted that there are also allegations that came up during the cross-examination of their witnesses and these are matters only the EC Chairperson can speak to.
Dismissing the application, the 7-member panel of judges maintained that the petitioner has not indicated how the evidence he intends to solicit from the EC Chairperson will help to determine the case.
Reading the ruling, Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah emphasized that the success of the petitioner’s case is dependent on his evidence and therefore the decision to close his case was not based on the fact that Madam Jean Mensa had filed a witness statement and was to testify.
He also stated that the arguments raised by the counsel for the petitioner are the same as those raised in the objection to the 1st Respondent’s decision not to call a witness.
The Chief Justice concluded by explaining that the EC Chairperson is not on trial hence she cannot be asked to vindicate herself.
However, having filed for a review to contest the decision of the Court, this portal understands that Mr Mahama is considering withdrawing his Petition.
According to a highly placed Source, the decision hinges on the success or otherwise of the review application to be heard tomorrow.
With almost all interlocutory judgements going against him, and the EC Chair refusing to mount the witness box, the petitioner believes yielding to calls from Party folks to withdraw the Petition before judgement is delivered is the best for the Party.
The Supreme Court is expected to sit tomorrow to hear the review of it’s earlier decision to deny the petitioner the opportunity to reopen his case.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com