General News of Thursday, 1 August 2013

Source: joyonline

Tsikata not setting good example – NPP MP

New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyir, Frank Annor Dompreh, has chided the counsel for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the ongoing presidential election petition for filing his written address late.

He described Mr. Tsikata’s action as a "disgrace" to the legal profession because "as a senior lawyer, he [Tsatsu] should have been guided by the practices of the court and known that court orders are meant to be obeyed".

Frank Annor Dompreh was speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme on Wednesday.

Counsel for the NDC failed to meet the July 30, 2013 deadline set by judges presiding over the case citing delays in attaching appendices to their address as the reason.

Tsatsu Tsikata, after they were allowed to file their written address, on Wednesday July 31, prayed the court to pardon him for the delay which he admitted was his fault.

But after an objection by counsel for the petitioners, Philip Addison, the court unanimously granted leave to Mr. Tsikata to file his address after being scolded by the bench.

However, Frank Annor Dompreh on Ekosii Sen believes Mr. Tsikata is painting a bad picture of himself to the Ghanaian populace.

According to him, Mr. Tsikata throughout the hearing of the election petition has portrayed himself as an "all knowing person" who wants to take everyone for granted in such a high profile case.

"We the younger generation are not drawing any good inspiration from him".

The NPP MP said the Supreme Court should have punished the NDC lawyer for flouting the rules of the court to serve as an example to others.

The Nsawam Adoagyir MP commended the petitioners for meeting the deadline and showing that they have credibility.

He noted that the confidence and seriousness of the counsel for the petitioners "emboldens my believe in this petition".

Annor Dompreh maintained that there is hope for the petitioners and urged all supporters to keep their faith alive.

On the contrary, NDC MP for Juaboso, Kwabena Minta Akandoh, called the bluff of Annor Dompreh describing his claims as "sheer jealousy".

He said Tsatsu Tsikata is a "legal luminary", an established fact that cannot be erased by NPP’s vile propaganda.

The Juaboso MP added that "Tsatsu Tsikata’s posture and demeanor in court inspire us in the NDC".

Kwabena Minta Akandoh said the counsel for the respondents is focused and determined to deliver victory to the ruling party.