Court Report – 29 January 2021
• Mr. Tsikata informed the Court that Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia was ready to testify. Mr. Asiedu Nketia’s Witness Statement was adopted as his evidence in chief.
• Mr. Akoto Ampaw objected to parts of the Witness Statement of Mr. Asiedu Nketia on the grounds that they were not based on the pleadings (Petition + Answers), were unduly prejudicial and scandalous. Mr. Amenuvor associated himself with the objections raised by Mr. Akoto Ampaw. Mr. Tsikata was opposed to the objections and argued that the Witness Statement of Mr. Asiedu Nketia was supported by the pleadings (Petition + Answers).
• Out of the 10 objections raised by Mr. Akoto Ampaw, the Court maintained 3 of the paragraphs of the Witness Statement of Mr. Asiedu Nketia and struck out 7 of the paragraphs (some in part) and expunged them from the Witness Statement of Mr. Asiedu Nketia, on the ground that they were not based on the pleadings (Petition + Answers).
• Mr. Amenuvor commenced and completed his cross-examination of Mr. Asiedu Nketia. After admitting the role played by the NDC’s agents in the election processes, Mr. Asiedu Nketia testified that they were “in court to challenge the performance of the constitutional obligations of the Electoral Commission.”
• Mr. Akoto Ampaw commenced his cross-examination of Mr. Asiedu Nketia and suggested that the Petitioner, Mr. Asiedu Nketia and other key members of the NDC held press conferences and told Ghanaians and the world that the Petitioner had won the election of December 2020. Mr. Asiedu Nketia denied the suggestion but admitted that press conferences had been held. Mr. Akoto Ampaw requested to play a video to support his suggestion however the video facilities were not available in Court.
• The Court ordered that the video should be played at the next adjourned date to determine its admissibility on grounds of relevance. The Court then adjourned the Petition to Monday, 1 February 2021 for hearing.
Coram: Anin Yeboah, Apau, Marful-Sau, Amegatcher, Kotey, Owusu, Torkornoo
Parties: Petitioner represented by General Secretary (Johnson Asiedu Nketia). 1st Respondent represented by Chairperson (Jean Mensa). 2nd Respondent represented by Campaign Manager (Peter Mac Manu).
Legal representation: Tony Lithur led by Tsatsu Tsikata for Petitioner; Justin Amenuvor with Somuah Asamoah for 1st Respondent; and Akoto Ampaw with Frank Davies, Kwaku Asirifi and Yaw Oppong for 2nd Respondent.
