Instruction to leave strongroom: ‘I did not personally speak to Jean Mensa’ - Kpessa-Whyte
- According to the petitioner’s second witness, the chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, asked them to go meet the petitioner only for her to go and declare the results
- Lawyer for the EC, however, maintained that the witness was lying
- He, however, rejected the accusation
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John Mahama’s second witness, Dr. Michael Kpessa-Whyte, has told the Supreme Court that he left the Electoral Commission’s Strongroom on the instruction of Jean Mensa despite not speaking to her personally.
According to him, the chairperson of the Commission instructed him and Rojo Mettle-Nunoo during the national collation of the presidential results to go and seek Mahama’s advice on the process to allow for the declaration of the winner of the elections.
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Kpessa-Whyte alleged in his witness statement that the EC chair deliberately instructed them to go and have an audience with Mahama to pave the way for the declaration of the results.
“And she did also indicate that the reason she was asking us to do so is for all the stakeholders including the NPP, Peace Council and others could be invited to ensure that we had a credible result before the announcement of the winner is made,” he said.
The lawyer for the Electoral Commission (EC), Justin Amenuvor, accused Kpessa-Whyte of lying when he said Jean Mensa deliberately sent them away from the strong room to declare the presidential results.
But in his response, Kpessa-Whyte rejected Amenuvor’s accusation, informing the Court that he had no reason to lie.
“My Lords, we were instructed by the first respondent. I have no reason ever to just lie or deceive this honourable Court if that was not the case,” he stated. “As I have indicated our leaving there was not in secret.”
John Asiedu Nketia, Mahama’s first witness said “every evidence” pointed to the victory of the former president in the December 2020 presidential election.
The General Secretary of the NDC made the remark after videotapes of him and other functionaries of the party including Mahama were played during the trial hearing.
The party functionaries including the former president claimed victory in the 2020 general elections contrary to the figures announced by the Electoral Commission (EC).
“My Lords, I implied that I expected President Mahama to win the elections. Every evidence was pointing at president Mahama’s victory,” he told the Court.
Meanwhile, Mahama, the petitioner in the ongoing election petition trial, filed a motion seeking to inspect documents from the Electoral Commission (EC).
The motion is expected to be moved during Tuesday’s hearing, YEN.com.gh gathered.
It is asking for the original copies of all constituencies’ presidential election results collation forms and summary sheets.
Mahama filed the petition before the Apex Court to challenge the outcome of the 2020 presidential race.
He wants a rerun to be conducted between him and President Akufo-Addo.
Akufo-Addo defeated Mahama in the election to secure another four-year term; collecting 51.302% of the votes cast against the latter’s 47.359%.
The votes difference between the two candidates stood at 517, 231, representing a four percentage point, one of the highest since 1996.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
