Tag: Joinder Application

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Politics

Buaben Asamoa not satisfied Court accepted NDC’s joinder application

A deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Buaben Asamoa, has expressed happiness with the Supreme Court for setting April 16, 2013 as the commencement date for the trial of a petition filed against results of the December 7/8 Election.

He, however, expressed reservation about the acceptance of the joinder application filed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the three-month preliminary hearing.

Mr Buaben Asamoa, who is a legal practitioner, was speaking on TV3’s News @ 10 on Tuesday.

“I am not entirely satisfied,” he said.

“I think the decision to join the NDC was a little difficult,” he indicated.

According to him, a petition like the one filed by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey in “settling a power vacuum” should have been given so crucial a consideration that “some issues” should have been overlooked.

“Time would not have been wasted,” he added.

He cited the appearance of the over 300 NDC witnesses in court as waste of two weeks since those persons did not add anything to the trial.

He congratulated the nine-judge panel for narrowing the mode of trial down to two.

“The mode of trial regarding the affidavit is fantastic,” he emphasized.

The Supreme Court has scheduled to begin hearing next two weeks.

It will find out whether there were anomalies, irregularities and omissions during the 2012 elections and determine whether those irregularities and omissions, if any, affected the results.


Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Categories
Politics

Supreme Court sets Jan 22 to rule on NDC’s joinder application

The Supreme Court has set Tuesday, January 22, 2013 as date to rule on the application brought before it by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be joined in the petition filed on December 28, 2012 by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey challenging the Electoral Commissioner’s declaration of John Dramani Mahama as winner of the 2012 Presidential Elections.

During hearing at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, lead counsel for the NDC Tsatsu Tsikata told the packed courtroom, the definition of a political party is relevant to the consideration stating that the NDC having established itself as one is a necessary party to the process.

He said their petition does not mention John Dramani Mahama as President of the Republic.

Mr Tsikata argued the NDC is seeking to join the petition in the interest of justice because Mr Mahama was nominated, selected and agreed to stand on the ticket of the party.

He said President John Dramani Mahama is in the process of forming his government and, thus, joining the petition will advance the interest of justice.

Counsel for the NDC referred the Court to instances when it allowed the NPP to be joinders in a suit between government and the Attorney General.

Lead counsel for petitioners Phillip Addison said the action by the NDC is completely unmeritorious.

He said the joinder, if granted, will defeat the expressed purpose of the election petition – the expeditious determination of the petition.

Mr Addison told the court the joinder will open the flood gates for many witnesses and asked that the application be thrown out on this ground.

He said CI 74 defines who the necessary parties are in a petition and a political party like the NDC is not mentioned here.

Mr Addison said nowhere in the petition is it stated that the presence of the NDC will be needed.

He said the rules of joinder are necessary to avoid a multiplicity of suits, adding that fear cannot arise in this petition because it is time-bound.

Attempt by counsel for the president Tony Lithur to respond to the argument was initially met with sharp objection from lawyers for the petitioners.

A 6/3 majority ruling, however, gave him the opportunity to make his point arguing that the NDC need to be joined to the case.

Earlier, there was disagreement regarding the withdrawal of the petitioners’ motion asking a member on the panel to recuse himself because of the alleged possibility of bias.

Tsatsu Tsikata wanted Nana Akufo-Addo’s side to withdraw openly despite a written letter indicating their decision.

Philip Addison, however, said his side did not make any demand in open court but he was compelled to withdraw for the avoidance of doubt.

Presiding judge William Atuguba adjourned proceedings to January 22, 2013 for ruling on whether or not the NDC will be allowed in the case.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Categories
Politics

Supreme Court to hear NDC’s joinder application on Wednesday

The Supreme Court has scheduled Wednesday, January 16, 2013 as date to hear the National Democratic Congress’ application to be joined in the petition brought before it by Messrs Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Mahamadu Bawumia and Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey.

The Court adjourned the case sine die on Thursday, January 10, 2013 after counsel for the petitioners challenged the composition of the panel presided over by Justice William Anaam Atuguba. They have since rescinded that decision.

Other panel members were Justice Julius Ansah, Justice Sophia Adinyira, Justice Rose Owusu, Justice Jones Dotse, Justice Annin Yeboah, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, Justice N. S. Gbadegbe and Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo.

The registrar of the Court on Monday, January 14, 2013 served lawyers of parties notices of hearing.

The petitioners are rejecting NDC’s application because they claim it is a ploy to delay the trial.

Others supporting the petitioners claim NDC as a political party cannot be party to the petition.

This was, however, refuted by Victor Adawudu, member of NDC’s legal team.

Speaking on TV3 on Tuesday, Mr Adawudu said Article 64 of the Constitution says the respondents to electoral challenges can be a group.

He said he is sure NDC will made party to the petition.

The petition is challenging the declaration of President John Dramani Mahama as winner of the 2012 presidential polls by the Electoral Commission.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana