Supreme Court adjourns hearing; NPP opposes NDC’s joinder application

The Supreme Court has adjourned hearing of the NDC’s application to be joined as a respondent to the NPP’s petition against the Electoral Commission and President John Dramani Mahama.

The New Patriotic Party is challenging the electoral results declared by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Djan, which saw President John Mahama come out as winner in the 2012 Presidential elections.

The NPP claims the elections were rigged in favour of President John Mahama.

The party therefore presented a petition to the Supreme Court in hope that the EC declaration will be overturned with their Presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, declared victor in the polls and President of the fourth Republic.

The National Democratic Congress today applied to the Supreme Court to join the case as a respondent, explaining that as a party which elected President John Mahama as Presidential candidate; the NDC as an applicant  “herein has a vital interest in this petition and deserves to be joined as respondent and be heard in this petition."

The New Patriotic Party opposed the NDC’s affidavit on grounds that the ruling party wants to delay the process.

The court presided over by Justice William Anaam Atuguba adjourned the hearing of the joinder application sine die.

Nine Supreme Court Justices have been scheduled to sit on the case.

The Justices: Rose C. Owusu, Sophia A. B. Akuffo , P. Baffoe Bonnie, Julius Ansah, S. O. Adinyira , Jones V. M. Dotse, Anin-Yeboah, and Vida Akoto-Bamfo are headed by Justice William Atuguba.

The NPP is also seeking to challenge the composition of the panel of judges sitting on the case.

From: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw