Election Petition: Judges have decided already – Lawyer

Parties in the election petition have been advised not to engage in propaganda on August 7/8, 2013 when they appear before the nine Supreme Court judges to make their oral submissions.

According to Dr Maurice Kwabena Ampaw, the President of the Legal Advocacy Foundation, impressing the Ghanaian public may scuttle the argument of any counsel that does not put "catching the judges’ eyes" first.

He said on TV3’s Headlines that convincing the judges should be counsel’s main objective on August 7/8.

He observed that the judges have "taken legal notes" over the past 47 days since hearing of the case began.

“The judges have already taken their decision,” he stressed on Saturday, adding that the oral submission may have an effect, though.

Counsel for the petitioners will appear before the Supreme Court to “clarify” their arguments before the nine justices.

They will have 30 minutes each to do so.

The petitioners’ will be done by lead counsel Phillip Addison. Tony Lithur will do that for the first respondent, John Dramani Mahama while James Quarshie-Idun does it for the Electoral Commission, the second respondent.

Tsatsu Tiskata will represent the third respondent, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in submitting the “oral clarifications”.

Dr Ampaw noted that: "The address will be more on the constitutional provision." The Supreme Court is expected to deliver verdict within 15 days after next week’s sitting.

The petition is challenging the presidency of John Dramani Mahama.