General News of Friday, 17 May 2013

Source: joyonline

Tsatsu is a necessary evil for the NDC – NPP MP

New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Kpandai constituency in the Northern region, Matthew Nyindam has described Tsatsu Tsikata as a "necessary evil" for his clients in the ongoing Presidential Election Petition.

According to him, Mr. Tsikata who is the lead counsel for the third respondents has done more harm than good to the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) case. However, he claimed, the ruling party cannot do without him [Tsikata].

Matthew Nyindam was commenting on the dismissal of a motion filed by Tsatsu which sought an order of the court to cross examine other witnesses who had testified via affidavit for the petitioners.

Mr. Tsikata wanted to question the witnesses to ascertain the veracity of their claims.

But the presiding judge, Justice William Atuguba dismissed the motion, noting that it would delay the case unduly.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, Matthew Nyindam said Mr. Tsikata has wasted everybody’s time with is repetitive questions.

Describing the cross-examination as a journey to nowhere, the Kpandai MP was of the opinion that Tsatsu has not made any impact so far.

"You don’t need a lawyer to tell you how the case is going. Common sense should tell you that Tsatsu Tsikata is on a journey to nowhere," he asserted.

Mr Nyindam contended that Mr. Tsikata has rather muddied the waters and the case of the other respondents.

He said the NDC lawyer has strengthened the petitioner's case by admitting that the irregularities they are alleging also occurred in the strongholds of the first petitioner, Nana Akufo-Addo.

The NPP MP alleged that objective people in the NDC have raised concerns about the ability of Tsatsu Tsikata to deliver victory for the party.

He commended the judges for stumping their authority to curb the needless delay tactics for an expeditious trial.

In a quick rebuttal, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Kofi Adams cautioned the NPP not to under-estimate the capabilities of Mr. Tsikata because he could be 'deadly'.

He said the NPP is fond of denigrating anyone who has proven to be 'too hot' for them to handle.

The NDC man expressed shock at the reason why the court granted the NPP audience to present their case.

"I am surprised the Court has not thrown out this case; it is just to waste of Ghana’s time," he said, noting emphatically that: "Ghanaians are beginning to see the court case is intended to waste everybody’s time".