You Can’t Escape Cross-Examination – Tsikata Tells Jean Mensa
The lead counsel for ex-president John Dramani Mahama in the ongoing election petition, Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, has indicated the Electoral Commission Chairperson Mrs. Jean Mensa, cannot escape the cross-examination going on in the election petition hearing.
Mr Tsatsu made the comment in court on Monday, 8 February 2021 during his argument against the decision by the first respondent’s lawyer, Mr Justin Amenuvor, that his side did not intend to invite any witness in the issue.
Mr Akoto Ampaw, the lead counsel for President Nana Akufo-Addo also took a similar stance.
“My Lords, we do not intend to call any witness and my Lord, we do not intend to call any witness because in our view, they have not satisfied the burden of proof. So, we can’t be forced to call any witness”, he told the court.
Should the court rule in favor of the respondents, it means Mrs Jean Mensa and Mr Peter Mac Manu, will not be cross-examined.
Addressing the court after cross-examining Mr Robert Joseph Mettle-Nunoo, the third lawyer of former President John Mahama, Mr Amenuvor, said: “My Lords, with respect, it’s our submission that in view of the [pieces of] evidence led by the witnesses of the petitioner, and our cross-examination so far, speaking for the first respondent, I am of the view that there is sufficient evidence before the court for this petition to be determined and, therefore, my Lords, it is the first respondent’s case that we do not wish to lead any further evidence and, therefore, we are praying that this matter proceeds under Order 36 Rule 4(3) and C.I.87 Rule 3(e)(5) and, we hereby, on that basis, close our case”.
