Election Petition: Hearing adjourned to Monday April 29
Hearing of the election petition challenging the declaration of President John Dramani Mahama as winner of
the December 2012 presidential polls
has been adjourned to Monday April 29, 2013.
Advertisement
The adjournment followed a request by counsel for the Electoral Commission, Mr James Quarshie-Idun, who cited fatigue as his reason.
Mr Quarshie-Idun pleaded with the court at about 3:30pm to adjourn sitting to enable him take a break, after stating that he was tired.
He was continuing his cross-examination of the petitioners’ star witness, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia on Day 7 of the hearing of the substantive matter of the peition.
He stoped at about 3:30pm and pleaded with the court to end proceedings for the day.
When the Presiding Judge, Mr Justice William Atuguba, enquired why he wanted proceedings truncated before the usual 5pm closing time, Mr Quashie-Idun explained he could no longer continue the cross-examination because he was tired.
His explanation elicited bouts of laughter from those in the courtroom, including the bench.
When asked whether sitting for some time would cure his fatigue, Mr Quashie-Idun replied in the negative.
Counsels for the petitioners, the first respondent and the third respondent, Mr Philip Addison, Mr Tony Lithur and Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, respectively, did not raise any objections.
The court subsequently adjourned sitting to Monday April 29, 2013.
Mr Justice Atuguba noted that the rules requires that the court sits everyday but said the judges have observed that some people might collapse if that happens.
Day 7 of the hearing of the substantive case was dominated by cross examination of Dr Bawumia by Mr Quarshie-Idun.
Questions revolved around the voting processes, allegations of padding and deduction of votes among others.
Hearing continues Monday at 9:00 GMT.
By Graphic.com.gh