'Seeking a review of election petition verdict irrelevant'

Sam Okudzeto, former President of the Ghana Bar Association says a review of the election petition case would be irrelevant since it would be unlikely to change the verdict that would be delivered by the Supreme Court.

According to him, the Supreme Court was the last court of resort in the land and could not therefore review its own decision.

His comments come after the Institute of Economic Affairs pleaded with both the NDC and the NPP not to seek a review of the Election Petition case.

According to the think tank accepting the final verdict without challenging it will "facilitate the process of national reconciliation and unity".

But both the NPP and the NDC have rejected the plea saying it is within their right to seek a review of the Supreme Court ruling.

Speaking in an interview on Radio XYZ, Sam Okudzeto stressed that though he expected no review or appeal of the verdict to be delivered by the judges hearing the election petition, it is within the right of the political parties to go to court to fight their case again.

He added that he does not see how the Supreme Court would overturn a decision that it would deliver after several months of analyzing evidence on the Election petition case.

Speaking on the issue of jubilation after the verdict is delivered; Sam Okudzeto stated that any political party that emerges victor in the case must ensure that it members do not engage in any celebration that would provoke members of the losing party.

The petition was filed by Nana Akuffo Addo, the Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Jake Obetsebi Lamprey, Chairman of the NPP.

The three petitioners are praying the Supreme Court to overturn the results declared by Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) making President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) the winner of the 2012 elections.