Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), on Tuesday appeared in court for the first time, when the Supreme Court began hearing of the substantive case of the election petition. The EC boss had not been in Court since the petitioners challenged the Electoral Commission's declaration of President John Mahama as winner of the the 2012 elections. Last Wednesday at the Supreme Court sitting, Mr Justice Jones Dotse demanded the whereabouts of the EC Chairman. The court raised concerns that he (Afari-Gyan) as the Returning Officer of the presidential election, had not been seen in court and had not also filed a single affidavit. But Dr. Afari-Gyan described as frivolous claims that he has gone into hiding to avoid any humiliation in court in the ongoing Election Petition before the Supreme Court. He told Asempa FM that as the Returning Officer for the 2012 election, he had nothing to hide and was ever ready to go to court if needed, adding, his presence in court during the preliminary stages of the petition was not very material. He denied media claims that he has been hiding from the Supreme Court and stated that he will appear before the court at the appropriate time explaining that the court was initially dealing with preliminary matters and that he would personally be at the Supreme Court when hearing of the substantive issues begins. True to his words the EC chair was spotted in a black shirt sitting at the back of the court. The Supreme Court has adjourned the election petition hearing to Wednesday April 17, to enable the petitioners to be served with the sworn affidavits of the respondents.