Former President John Dramani Mahama says he disagrees with the process of trial and ruling of the Supreme court.
Reacting to the verdict Mr Mahama said while he was not surprised at the decision of the judges, he disagrees with it.
“No one who followed the proceedings of the Supreme Court will be surprised by the judgment pronounced a few hours ago. Much as I am aware that we are legally bound by the decision of the highest court of the land, the Supreme court of Ghana, I disagree with the process of the trial and ruling of the court,” he said.
He said his lawyers who represented him presented a strong case but the Supreme Court allowed the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) to evade “accountability” for her work.
According to him, the vital time to account for the truth was blocked time and again by a protective firewall.
He said the refusal of the EC Chair to testify was in sharp contrast with which Mr. Afari Gyan, the former EC Chair testified in the 2013 presidential petition.
This he posited leaves bad precedence for the future.
He disagreed with the suggestions of the court that the petition was just like any other civil action.
His lawyers he explained put together his case in a clear manner and left no one in doubt on what was at stake.
Delivering the final verdict of the seven-member panel on the election petition, Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah said the petitioner failed to provide credible evidence to support his claims.
On the issue of the vote padding, the court ruled that it had no effects on the case and could not also be proved because the petitioner failed to provide enough evidence.
It added that even if the vote padding was to be taken by the court on the evidence provided, it would not have had any material effect on the results and the President would have still been declared as the winner because he crosses more than the threshold of more 50% of the total valid votes cast.
The CJ added although the padding was a serious allegation, the petitioner failed to provide credible evidence to support the same.
In conclusion, the court said the petition was dismissed because it had no merit.
The seven judges hearing the case were Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, Justices Yaw Appau, Marful Sau, Nene Amegatcher, Prof. Kotey, Mariama Owusu, and Gertrude Torkonoo .
With regards to legal representation, Mr Tsatsu Tsikata and Tony Lithur are for the John Mahama (Petitioner).
Justin Amenuvor and Alexander A Somoah Asamoah represent the EC (1st Respondent).
The 2nd Respondent Nana Akufo-Addo has four lawyers and they are Mr Akoto Ampaw, Lead Counsel and had support from Mr Frank Davies, Kweku Asirifi and Yaw Oppong.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com
