Petitioners to resume cross-examination of Afari-Gyan today

Lead Counsel for the petitioners in the ongoing election dispute hearing at the Supreme Court, Philip Addison, will later on Thursday July 4 resume cross-examination of Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.

Dr Afari-Gyan’s testimony was suspended following objections raised by lawyers for the respondents – Tony Lithur, James Quashie-Idun and Tsatsu Tsikata, respectively for President John Mahama, the EC and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) – who insisted the petitioners have not only failed to file the required numbers of pink sheets as they claimed, but have also introduced exhibits that are not before the court.

Accounting firm KPMG was, therefore, invited by the court to conduct an audit of the pink sheets, and has submitted its report.

During testimony, Amanor Dodoo of KPMG said only 8,675 pink sheets were uniquely counted and must be used.

However, Philip Addison maintained a thorough scrutiny of the KPMG report showed that the petitioners filed in excess of 11,000 unique pink sheet exhibits.

Meanwhile, the judges have given indication to the lawyers of both the petitioners and respondents to begin writing their closing statements.

Justice Sophia Adinyira, a member of the panel of Judges hearing the election petition said since the lawyers for the respondents have indicated they will not cross-examine second petitioner, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; again the lawyers should start preparing their closing remarks.