General News of Thursday, 17 January 2013

Source: citi fm

NDC has faith in Supreme Court judges - Dadzie

A member of the NDC legal team, Nana Ato Dadzie, has said the NDC has faith in the panel of judges of sitting over their request to be joined as respondents to the petition filed by NPP leaders seeking to annul the outcome of last month's polls.

At the hearing of the joinder motion, one of the Judges on the panel, Justice Dotse read statement denying ever being a member of the NPP.

Justice Dotse accused one of the members of the NDC legal team, Abraham Amaliba of suggesting on Accra based radio station that he was once a Regional Chairman of the NPP.

He challenged those making the allegations to provide proof, adding he will recuse himself if any evidence is brought before the court.

Last week, the NPP had raised an objection in respect of the composition of the panel of judges sitting on the case and had requested for an in-camera hearing but the panel declined with presiding judge, Justice William Atuguba asking the party to make a formal application.

Though no names were mentioned, reports said the NPP had objected to the presiding judge, Justice William Atuguba who is a relative of President Mahama’s newly appointed Executive Secretary.

The NPP has since dropped the challenge to composition saying they did not want to delay the hearing of the substantive issues.

The NDC had also threatened to make similar demands if the NPP went ahead with its challenge to the composition of judges.

However speaking to Citi News Nana Ato Dadzie said that “We will be there because this is our case; we are critically interested, we believe in the judiciary. Justice Dotse in open court today read a statement indicating that he has no personal interest in this matter. He is not a member or a registered member of the NPP or is holding any official position in the party. He was obviously distressed by the statements and comments flying around the country about him. It’s unfortunate that people are saying all sorts of things but for us we think that we have faith in the judiciary, we believe in this panel but if there is any statement that anybody raises we will sift it at the appropriate time and of there is some good material we will put it up. But for now we are completely satisfied with the panel.”

The Supreme Court has adjourned case for ruling on Tuesday.