The Counsel for the governing National Democratic Congress, NDC, in the election petition case, Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, on Monday, May 6, 2013 asked the Lead Counsel for the Petitioners in the case, Mr. Philip Addison to “shut up” when the latter interrupted his cross-examination of key witness Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“Can you shut up?” Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata yelled at Mr. Addison in open Court.
Mr. Tsikata’s outburst followed attempts by Mr. Addison to object to the NDC Counsel’s line of questioning of Dr. Bawumia, concerning the people who were present when the commissioner of oaths deposed the petitioners’ of their affidavit; which they tendered in as evidence to prove their case of widespread irregularities, for which they insist the Electoral Commission’s declaration of the 2012 presidential results must be annulled.
Mr. Addison demanded that Mr. Tsikata withdraw the use of the phrase “shut up”, but to no avail.
The nine-member Bench eventually ruled that the objection of the Petitioners’ Lead Counsel must be sustained.
Mr. Tsikata has been cross-examining the Second Petitioner, Dr. Bawumia for five days now.
The 2012 Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his two co-petitioners including his running mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the party’s National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, are challenging the validity of the 2012 presidential poll results.
They claim there were widespread irregularities as well as strategically planned rigging, through the collusion of the first respondent, President John Mahama, and the second respondent, the Electoral Commission.
They, therefore, are praying the Supreme Court to annul results in 11,138 polling stations, where they claim, massive and strategic rigging occurred.
