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New Voters’ Register: Supreme Court delivers judgement on June 23
Supreme Court of Ghana has adjourned judgement for case between the Electoral Commission(EC) and the National Democratic Congress(NDC) over compilation of new voter register to Tuesday, June 23, 2020.
The NDC is challenging the EC’s decision to exclude an existing voters’ ID as a prerequisite for the registration exercise.
Making his submission, lawyer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Edudzi Tamekloe said, the Supreme Court had held earlier in the Abu Ramadan and Another vrs EC case that existing voters’ register is for all practical purposes the prima facie evidence of nationality.
That assertion he said had not been rebutted by defendants.
He further told the court that it does not lie in the mouth of the Attorney General, (A-G) to say that all elections held in the country are tainted with illegality.
The Deputy Attorney General, who represented the (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame said, the NDC’s case is unmeritorious.
The Commission led by Lawyer Justin Amenuvor in their legal arguments described the card as a fruit of a “poisoned tree.”
Following this the seven-member panel led by the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah adjourned the case to June 23 for its judgement.
The Supreme Court on June 4 gave the EC up until June 8 to justify its stance. The commission has complied raising six legal issues to attempt to get the court to agree with it.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Isaac Batsa, the constituency secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the news, which has shocked the local political community.
Mr.Awuku praised the late NDC secretary for his bipartisan approach to local governance.
He noted that despite their different political affiliations, Batsa consistently rose above party lines to serve the constituency with diligence.
The MP revealed that the news was particularly shocking given that he had last interacted with Batsa just three days prior on Saturday.
Concluding his statement, Sammy Awuku extended his heartfelt condolences to Batsa’s family, the constituency and regional executives, and the entire NDC fraternity, wishing the deceased peaceful eternal rest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
