[ 2021-02-12 ]

This is law, not politics – Defeamekpor to Oppong Nkrumah on subpoena of EC
Member of Parliament for South Dayi,
Rockson-Nelson Este Kwami Dafeamekpor, has asked
Information Minister-designate Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
to provide the legal grounds upon which
respondents in the ongoing election petition
hearing will be summoning the petitioner, John
Mahama, to appear before the Supreme Court to
testify.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah, who is also the lawmaker for
Ofoase Ayirebi, has said if need be, the
respondents in the ongoing election petition
hearing will also summon the petitioner, John
Mahama, to appear in court to testify.

His comment comes after the lawyer for the
petitioner Tsatsu Tsikata served notice to reopen
his case to enable him subpoena Chair of the
Electoral Commission, Jean Adukwei Mensa, and
Campaign Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
in last year’s elections, Peter Mac Manu.

Mr Tsikata told the court on Thursday, February 11
that: “We are applying to reopen our case and on
that basis, we are issuing a subpoena addressed to
the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of
Ghana.”

This was after the Supreme Court said the
witnesses cannot be compelled to mount the witness
box to be cross-examined in the ongoing election
petition.

Speaking to the press after proceedings, Mr Oppong
Nkrumah said: “Depending on what the court
decides to do, our senior lawyers will take their
next line of action.

“Indeed, I’ve heard conversations that if they
elect to subpoena the EC Chair, maybe, we should
also elect to subpoena the petitioner to be
brought into the box. I don’t know if they will
agree to it at the end of the day, but it is part
of the various conversations.

“If it becomes necessary, we’ll be happy to
mount the box. I keep telling you that Chairman
Mac Manu comes here every day prepared. If they
[petitioners] cross a threshold, and we have to
testify, we’ll do that.”

Reacting to this in a tweet, Mr Dafeamekpor said,
“I see. And the grounds to subpoena JM are what:
Kojo?

You think this is a “do-me-I-do-you”
situation? This is law, not politicking. Never you
forget that.”

Source - 3 News

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