The Supreme Court will today hear the application filed by counsels for the 2020 NDC presidential candidate, John Mahama to reopen his case in the ongoing election petition.
The motion comes on the back of a ruling by the Apex Court that the EC Chair, Jean Mensa cannot be compelled to testify.
Lead counsel for the petitioner, Tsatsu Tsikata who closed his case after three witnesses for John Mahama were cross-examined, had raised objections when the lawyer for the EC, Justin Amenuvor said he will not be calling any witnesses and therefore moved to close his case.
The objection by Lawyer Tsikata subsequently led to oral arguments by all the counsels as to whether a person can be compelled to testify or induce evidence in court.
Giving its ruling in favor of the EC, the 7-member panel of judges made up of the Chief Justice, Anin-Yeboah; Justices Yaw Appau, Marful Sau, Professor Ashie Kotei, Mariama Owusu, Nene Amegatcher, and Gertrude Tokonor said the apex court cannot force Jean Mensa to testify in court.
This according to the judges is because the court has no say in whether a party should testify or not and "will not yield to the invitation being extended by counsel for the petitioner to order the respondent to enter the witness box to be cross-examined."
But documents sighted by JoyNews on Friday, February 12, indicated that the petitioner will subpoena the EC Chairperson to testify if his application to reopen his case is granted.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission through its chairperson Jean Mensa has filed an affidavit in opposition to this request.
Mrs. Mensa argued that at no point has she ever indicated a desire to testify in the ongoing hearing.
The Chairperson also added that should the court even grant the request for the case to be reopened, it should not order her to testify since such a decision will defeat its earlier ruling that she cannot be compelled to testify.
Latest Stories
-
Death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas surpasses 100
5 hours -
Trump signs executive order extending tariff deadline to August 1
5 hours -
Midweek misery to Friday freedom: A personal journey through Ghana’s new holiday reform
5 hours -
We’re streamlining the galamsey fight, too many are running helter skelter – Mahama
5 hours -
Mahama attributes cedi stability to reforms in gold trading sector
5 hours -
Police arrest key suspect in motorbike theft ring in Accra
5 hours -
Journalists urged to drive urban health awareness through data-driven, science-based storytelling
7 hours -
KNUST Optometry 8th White Coat Ceremony tackles refractive error setbacks to improve access
7 hours -
I’m devastated – Akufo-Addo mourns Akwatia MP Ernest Kumi
7 hours -
IMF Executive Board approves $370m disbursement for Ghana
7 hours -
Castel Group acquires GGBL
7 hours -
Mr. President, your Six-Pillar 24H+ Economic Policy is shaky
7 hours -
T-bills auction: Undersubscription to continue in coming weeks; government misses June 2025 target by 19%
7 hours -
FUND24, the weakest pillar of Ghana’s 24H+ economy: APL cautions President Mahama
7 hours -
Ghana’s tourism picks up in 2024, but cost still a big issue
7 hours