NPP evidence to EC, Mahama is dangerous- Mike Ocquaye

Lawyer Mike Ocquaye Jr., yesterday expressed concern that it would be legally suicidal for the legal team representing Nana Akufo-Addo and two others in an election petition at the Supreme Court to submit its evidence to the Electoral Commission (EC) and President Mahama (Respondent) since it could lead to tampering of evidence.

In an interview with The New Crusading Guide, he argued that the evidence in possession of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would be presented fully in court, adding that the EC for instance, has the original pink sheets (which form the basis for most of the NPP’s claim of election irregularities) and therefore should the NPP provide it duplicates of the pink sheets to the Respondents as being insisted in a motion, “there is a possibility that the EC can temper with original pink sheets.”

The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned to January 31, 2013 the motion filed by lawyers for the Respondents (President John Mahama and the EC) requesting the petitioners’ lawyers to furnish them with “further and better” particulars on their petition on polling stations the alleged irregularities took place.

Lawyer Mike Ocquaye Jr., urged the NPP legal team to state their case strongly by objecting to the Respondents motion, saying it would help protect the party’s evidence until it is presented fully in court.

President Mahama and the EC unanimously prayed the court to order Nana Addo to provide them with such specifics as the names and numbers of all the 4,709 polling stations they had cited in the petition regarding election irregularities.

Lead Counsel for President Mahama, Tony Lithur, further requested from the petitioners to provide the names, code numbers, constituency, region and the number of voters who either voted without verification or being registered.

In a related development, NPP has moved an application seeking leave of the court to serve an interlocutory on the Electoral Commission to provide them with particulars of persons registered abroad.

Lead Counsel for NPP, Mr Philip Addison indicated that they want to be granted the leave of the court because they vehemently disagree with the 2000 figures the EC presented.

The request if granted would account for the number of Ghanaian foreign officials registered by the EC, including the number of students studying abroad, those on international assignments with international bodies, service personnel on peace keeping operations among others.