Red eyed, gun-toting police men have cordoned off the premises of the Supreme Court of Ghana where the two major political parties – NDC and NPP- are beginning a battle of legal wits over the country’s disputed election results.
Police spokesperson Freeman Tettey says the security of the process is of such national importance that the police are leaving nothing to chance.
He said the police have deployed sufficient crowd control gear and warns any party supporters who attempt to disturb the process will be dealt with ruthlessly.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is alleging fraud in the December polls which saw incumbent President John Mahama retain power.
The party has consequently filed a petition at the highest adjudicative body of the country, the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the results declared by Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan.
The presidential candidate of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo, his running-mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and party Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey who brought the petition, cited Dr. Afari Gyan and President Mahama as the respondents.
The governing National Democratic Congress has applied to the Court to be joined to the case as respondents but the NPP is opposing this application.
Joy News’ Anny Osabutey, who is in court, reported that the legal brains of both sides were all in court.