Lawyer Chris Akumey, a leading member of the ruling National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) legal team has stated that he has been touched by the meek and affable nature of Nana Akufo-Addo, the first petitioner in the on-going election petition trial in the Supreme Court.

“Those who know Nana or see him on political platforms, he looks straight but those who know him at close quarters know that he is a very friendly guy, very jovial, very easy to mix up, very, very good rapport and the rest,” he explained.

According to the Accra based legal practitioner, the conduct of Nana Akufo-Addo who was the presidential candidate on the ticket of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other leading members of the party has eased up tension at the court which he believes is very good for the nation.

“I think that if not for anything, this great interaction, this great understanding, this great cordiality being shown by the leaders of the various political parties is something to write home about,” he maintained.

Lawyer Ackumey made this revelation during a panel discussion on Citi Fm’s ‘Big Issues’ on Saturday. He recounted by saying “on Wednesday, something struck me. During the interval, I was sitting with one of the NDC leaders and I saw Nana Akufo-Addo walk from his seat congratulate and exchange pleasantries with Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, shook hands with him…from Hudu Yahaya, he came to me in my seat and said Chris Ackumey, how are you? And I was very touched".

Though the out-spoken legal practitioner was initially apprehensive of the conduct of the case challenging the 2012 election results, its live telecast and why the matter should even be brought to court in the first instance, he is now of the view that the “benefits that the nation is deriving from the conduct of this case are many and varied”.

“Generally, I am very much pleased and excited about what goes on behind the cameras in the court room. There is a very great interaction between the two parties in the court room. You see very great mix-up of personalities from one political party or the other.

“You see Sir John who is very militant on radio, looking very friendly, you wonder if it is this same Sir John. I mean, you cannot believe it,” Lawyer Ackumey disclosed.

He further stated that this is an indicator that Ghanaians are tolerant by nature and are friends no matter the political party they belong to.