Annulled Walewale NPP Primary: Lawyer for first defendant expresses disappointment in court decision

The legal counsel for Dr. Kabiru Tia Mahama, the first defendant in the ongoing Walewale New Patriotic Party parliamentary primary case, Samson Lardy Anyenini, has expressed disappointment with the court's decision to annul the primary held in January 2024.

The election saw Dr. Kabiru Tia Mahama narrowly defeat incumbent MP Lariba Abudu by just 7 votes.

However, Abudu challenged the results, citing irregularities such as wrongful determination of spoilt ballots, over-voting, and participation by deceased individuals.

Presided over by Justice Richard Mac Kogyapwah, the court ruled in favour of Abudu, agreeing that the election was marred by significant irregularities.

Speaking to the media on behalf of his client after the court proceedings, Anyenini highlighted concerns over the court's decision, which he believes does not align with the evidence presented.

Anyenini noted that two witnesses provided statements, but only one was courageous enough to testify in court, despite threats.

“Two of them gave witness statements, but only one was bold enough to defy the threat and come to court. He testified that he voted once there was indelible ink on his hand and his chairman, who was wrongly omitted and where his name was repeated, his chairman voted for that place,” he said.

According to Anyenini, the law should prevent individuals from benefiting from their crimes.

He pointed out that the plaintiff, Laraba Zuera, was found to have orchestrated impersonations of deceased individuals and absentees to influence the election.

Anyenini said he expected the court to rule against Zuera, given the evidence of her wrongdoing.

However, the court's decision was contrary to their expectations.

“Once the plaintiff, Laraba Zuera, was found to be the one who got the people impersonating the dead six people and who got the people impersonating the absentees, she must not benefit from her wrong. The law is that if you commit a wrong, you must not benefit.

"So our expectation was that the court would say, 'Yes, we found this, that it happened. But the person who did that is the one who has come to court, the plaintiff. So she must suffer and not get a judgement in her favour.' But the court has decided otherwise," he stated.

He added, "As we speak, we don't know the reasons for the decision. The court says it will give its reasons on the 12th of September."

He noted that although the election organisers and supervisors did not attend court, Mahama fulfilled his obligations by being present and participating in the legal process.

The legal team awaits the detailed judgment on September 12 to understand the court's rationale and determine their next steps.

See the video below:

Samson Lardy Anyenini, legal counsel for the first defendant Dr. Kabiru Tia Mahama expresses disappointment with the court’s judgment in the ongoing Walewale NPP parliamentary primary case...#ElectionHub #EIBNetwork #GHOneNews #GHOneTV pic.twitter.com/uwk4IiyYex

— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) September 2, 2024