A member of President Akufo-Addo’s legal team says their decision not to present any witnesses in the ongoing election petition case should not be misconstrued as an attempt to evade cross-examination by lead counsel for the petitioner.

Speaking to Evans Mensah on Top Story, Nana Adjoa Adobea Asante stated that subsequent to the testimony of Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, the petitioner's third witness, the legal teams of the 1st and 2nd respondents made it known to the court that they do not intend to present a witness before the court.

Nana Adobea Asante stated that the strategy taken by their legal team is for their witnesses not to testify, especially considering that the burden of proof lies on the petitioner, Mr Mahama and not on the respondents.

“We are not running away and we are not evading. There are different strategies that a lawyer takes when pursuing a matter in court and this is one of ours.”

“We are happy with the way matters unfolded today in court and we are ready to make legal arguments and justify to the court why we feel that this matter has come to an end,” she said.

Nana Adobea Asante stated that the petitioners should consider it somewhat fortuitous that the respondents intend not to present any witnesses.

She alluded to the fact that if the petitioners believe that they have made a strong enough case, they will have no need to rely on the respondent to further prove or support their case.

Her comment comes after lead counsel for Joh Mahama, Tsatsu Tsikata has accused the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa of trying to evade cross-examination. 

Following Rojo Mettle-Nunoo's testimony for the petitioner on February 8, Mr Tsikata informed the court that the petitioner had closed his case.

But in an interesting twist, the lawyers for the respondents who had already indicated that they will call one witness each told the court they have rescinded that decision.

At the press briefing after the hearing, spokesperson for the petitioner indicated that the EC is obligated to account to Ghanaians on the anomalies referred to by the petitioner in the December election.

However, Nana Adobea Asante asked that a distinction be made between a court of public opinion and the court of law.

She added that the petitioner "is upset that there's no propaganda value" for the EC not showing up as a witness.

“I think it is unfortunate that our colleagues on the other side are trying to milk this for the propaganda value."

"You brought the matter to court the burden of proof lies on you, as long as you have effectively discharged your burden, you should be happy that the first and second respondents are not willing to put in evidence to support their parts of the case.”

Also, speaking for Akufo-Addo's team during a media briefing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said their team believes the petitioner has failed to provide evidence to prove their case.

Thus, they do not wish to put their witness Peter Mac Manu into the witness box.