Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare a Ghanaian US-based lawyer popularly known as Prof Kwaku Azar has quizzed why election petitions exist if one cannot cross-examine the Electoral Commission Chairperson.
He posted on his Facebook wall lamenting the ongoing turnout of events at the Supreme Court with regards to the 2020 election petition. He said, “It is hard to see why election petitions exist if one cannot discover information or cross-examine the returning officer who is the only person charged with declaring the election outcome”.
This comes after the lawyers for both 1st and 2nd respondents are leaning on certain legal backings for the refusal of the first and second respondents in the 2020 election petition to mount the witness box for cross-examination.
Tsatsu Tsikata prayed the court to allow Jean Mensa to be crossed examined and that the court should be interested in hearing what Jean Mensa to say with regards to her own admission that she will avail herself for cross-examination in her statement of truth. Adding that It will be an affront to justice if Jean Mensa isn’t cross-examined.
However, Prof. Azar seems to agree with Tsatsu Tsikata as he stated that “one of those times when common sense, law, and justice point to the same conclusion.
It is hard to see why election petitions exist if one cannot discover information or cross-examine the returning officer who is the only person charged with declaring the election outcome”.
Prof. Azar noted again that “frankly, this is not an interesting issue and should be resolved routinely”.
He concluded by saying “but this is Ghana where #SALL citizens are directed not to take part in parliamentary elections on the eve of the election”.
The Supreme Court today adjourned sitting to Thursday 11th February 2021 after an intense legal debate and a showcase of in-depth understanding of the law between Tsatsu Tsikata, lead counsel for the petitioner, and lawyers for the 1st and 2nd respondent for ruling as to whether Jean Mensa shall be crossed examined or not.
Filed By : Agaatorne Douglas Asaah / awakenewsroom.com
