Legal counsel for the petitioners in the ongoing election dispute between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the Ahafo Ano South West and Obuasi East parliamentary results, Evans Amankwah Counsel for the NDC, has expressed disappointment over the sudden transfer of their case to a different court without prior notice.
Speaking to the media after proceedings at the Kumasi High Court, Evans Amankwa questioned the circumstances under which the Chief Justice reassigned the case from Court 8 to Court 2, emphasizing that neither he nor his clients were given any official communication regarding the transfer.
“We were scheduled for a hearing today at Court 8, as usual. However, after concluding other cases, we were informed that our case had been moved to Court 2. To our surprise, the respondents were already seated there, raising serious concerns about due process and fairness,” he stated.
The NDC’s counsel acknowledged that the Chief Justice has the authority to transfer cases but insisted that such a decision should be based on legitimate grounds.
He demanded clarification on whether a petition had been filed for the transfer and, if so, why the petitioners were not notified.
He further criticized the lack of transparency in the process, noting that his team only learned about the case reassignment upon arrival at court.
“If there was a valid reason for the transfer, we should have been formally informed. This lack of communication is unfair to my clients and undermines the judicial process,” he added.
Additionally, Amankwa alleged that the respondents had never previously appeared in court for this matter and questioned how they were notified about the change while his team was left in the dark.
Despite his concerns, Counsel Amankwa reaffirmed his confidence in the judiciary and called for justice to prevail.
He warned against any deliberate attempts to delay the case, emphasizing that the legal team remains vigilant in ensuring that due process is followed.
The case has been adjourned to March 25, 2025, following the filing of motions, which the petitioners claim they were also unaware of until they appeared in court.
The ongoing legal battle stems from the disputed results of the 2024 parliamentary elections in Ahafo Ano South West and Obuasi East Constituencies, where the NDC is challenging the declared outcome.
The petitioners argue that there were irregularities in the electoral commission’s process that must be addressed through legal means.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
