Election 2020
Supreme Court To Cite NDC Legal Team Spokesperson For Contempt? – Dr Ayine Begins Damage Control
One of the spokespersons of the Petitioner in the ongoing election petition Dr Dominic Ayine says his “predetermined agenda” comment after the Supreme Court dismissed the petitioner’s motion to reopen his case on Tuesday was not meant to disparage the court.
Dr. Ayine in expressing his disappointment with the outcome said the petitioner’s team had made it clear in the petition that there were a number of infractions contrary to what he says are attempts by the Court to limit the petition to a single issue petition.
“We are contesting even the constitutionality of the declaration that was made. We are saying that she violated article 23 of the Constitution because she’s an administrative body. We have also said her exercise of discretion was contrary to article 296 of the Constitution”. These are all germane issues under the Constitution and laws of Ghana and to reduce the petition into a single-issue petition, is rather unfortunate and smacks of a predetermined agenda to rule against the petitioner in this matter,” the former Deputy Attorney General lamented.
His comments have been heavily criticized by one of the spokespersons of the second respondent President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s legal team in the ongoing election petition, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah. He described the comments as unfair and amount to scandalizing the Apex Court.
“It is not fair to the judicial system, it’s not fair to our democracy, it’s not fair to the people of Ghana that when you lose an application because it is not grounded in law or because you’ve failed to meet the legal standard, then you come here and literally poison the minds of the public and make claims that they may be having a predetermined agenda. That’s scandalous of the court,” Kojo Oppong Nkrumah noted.
But Speaking to Naa Dedei Tettey on Starr Today in reaction to the criticism, the former deputy attorney general expressed his disappointment in the stance taken by Mr. Oppong Nkrumah.
“I must say that I am severely disappointed in the Honorable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah…I am a senior lawyer to Kojo. Kojo should not take to always seeking to incite the court against me as if I do not know what I am saying. First of all, as a former deputy and a senior person at the bar, I know what it means to scandalise the highest court of the land. I have had no intention whatsoever of scandalising the Supreme Court of the Republic of Ghana.
“If I came across as having said that the court is in cahoots with the respondents that I will apologize and withdraw. But the reason I said that is because that is what the (second) respondent has been telling the media,” he said.
He further stressed: “Now tell me is the duty of the respondent to evaluate the evidence brought by the parties or it is the duty of the lawyers, spokespersons to say that your petition is empty even when they are commenting on the merit. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah should know that he has been violating the sub judique rule on a daily basis. He has always been preempting outcomes of the courts saying the petition is empty, it does not discharge the burden the proof and so on. Does he know that is a violation of the sub judique rule and that he should be hauled before court for commenting on the merit of the petition”.
Asked whether he will be surprised if the Apex Court takes issue with his pronouncements, Dr. Ayine said he would not.
“I will not be surprised if the and the court is entitled to take a position on it or express disappointment on it, even go as far as committing me for contempt. I mean I won’t begrudge them. But that honestly wasn’t meant to disparage the court or bring its reputation into disrepute”.
Source: StarrFmOnline
Election 2020
Mahama Was Asking The Supreme Court To Ignore The People’s Will Because Of An Error By The EC – Gabby Otchere Darko
Senior Member of the governing New Patriotic Party, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, says former President John Dramani Mahama’s election petition goes against the essence of petitions.
According to Mr Otchere-Datko, who is a cousin of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the National Democratic Congress’ flagbearer is asking the Supreme Court to set aside the will of Ghanaians, which is not what petitions are meant for.
In a Twitter post, he said Mr Mahama is calling on the court to declare a verdict in his favour based on an error by the Electoral Commission which has been corrected since.
Source: AdomOnline
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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