Jean Mensa will not testify - Supreme Court rules

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa and Peter Mac Manu cannot be compelled to testify in the ongoing Election Petition hearing.

This EC chair, Jean Mensa will not undergo cross-examination, as being requested by lead counsel of the Petitioner, Tsatsu Tsikata.

Delivering the judgment, Chief Justice Anin Yeboah submitted that the court has not been convinced by the argument from the lawyer of the petitioner and will be setting a bad precedent if it grants the wish of the petitioner.

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"We are reminded to state that our jurisdiction invoked in this election petition is limited jurisdiction clearly circumscribed by law. We do not intend to extend our mandate beyond what the law requires of us in such petitions brought under article 67 clause 1. Simply put, We are not convinced and will not yield to the invitation being extended to us by the counsel for the petitioner to order the respondents to enter the witness box in order to be cross-examined.

"Accordingly, we hereby overrule the objection raised by the counsel for the petitioner against the decision of the respondents declining to adduce testimonies in this petition", the Chief Justice said as quoted by Ghanaweb.

The apex court made the ruling on Thursday, February 11, 2021, on the back of an application filed by lead counsel for the Electoral Commission, Justine Amenuvor and that of President Akufo-Addo, Akoto Ampaw, asking for permission not to call any witness.