Chief Technical Advisor, University of Ghana School of Law’s Democratic Vigilance Project, says the petitioner in the just-ended 2020 election petition, John Mahama should not seek a review of the verdict of the Supreme Court.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor said seeking a review of the apex court’s verdict could undermine to some extent the faith Ghanaians have in the judicial process as an option for parties to resolve election-related disputes.
His comment comes after a seven-member panel of Supreme Court Judges in a unanimous decision dismissed the election petition filed by the 2020 NDC presidential candidate, John Mahama.
This, according to the apex court, is because the case before it had no merit.
But reacting to it, Mr. Barker-Vormawor said, “I think as a matter of politics I’ll discourage the search of a review in this particular matter. I think it is important that political parties also ensure that there is faith in this process, and I worry that going for a review might undermine to some extent the faith.
“It doesn’t mean that the right of a review does not exist, it is a matter of politics. If it was left with the lawyers alone I think that every lawyer would want another chance to try to change the court’s mind, and if the lawyers were made to answer that question, they would encourage a review.
“But I think the politicians need to take the seat in this and say that there should be no review and I think that will be the right call in my personal opinion.”
He said though the petitioner may disagree with the Court’s judgement, they may struggle “to say the judgement itself is not whole, holistically well-reasoned.”
The position of the petitioner on the court’s verdict is yet to be made known.
According to lawyers of the petitioner, John Mahama will address the nation at 5 pm this evening from his Cantonment residence.
Latest Stories
- Stonebwoy releases brand new single “More Of You”
17 mins - Livestream: Newsfile discusses revised DDE, CPI 2022 report and CSSPS expose
20 mins - More than 40 killed in Nigeria as gunmen and vigilantes clash
20 mins - Diana Hamilton settles bills of patients at KATH
2 hours - 3 die in motorbike accident at Yaw Bronya, Ashanti Region
2 hours - Musk found not guilty of fraud over Tesla tweet
10 hours - Man shot by police was cleaning out – family
10 hours - Number of staff suing Twitter ‘goes up daily’ – lawyer
10 hours - Nursing and Midwifery institutes prioritising theory over practical skills – Oncologist
11 hours - I started smoking at the age of 11 – Musician OJ Blaq reveals
12 hours - Ebenezer Kojo Kum resigns as Chieftaincy Minister
12 hours - President Akufo-Addo accepts Chieftaincy Minister’s resignation
13 hours - Playback: One-on-one with Seth Terkper on PM Express
13 hours - I did national service in Aliu Mahama’s office despite being NDC member – Sam George
13 hours - Flora Tissue grants renowned actor Fred Amugi’s 74th birthday wish
13 hours