A Cape Coast high court hearing two separate election petition cases against NDC MP for Mfantsiman Aquinas Quansah and MP for Twifo Lower Hemang Foster Andoh, has slapped costs on them and the electoral commission (EC) for failing to adhere to the court’s directives.
The two petitioners are Asamoah Boateng, for Mfantsiman constituency, and Lawrence Agyin Sam for Twifo Lower hemang constituency.
The court, after hearing arguments from counsel for petitioners Egbert Faibille, slapped a GHS1,000 cost each on the EC and awarded cost of GHS800 against Aquinas Quansah and Honorable Foster Andoh.
After failing to respond to the petition within the two-week court-stipulated time, counsel for petitioners lawyer Egbert Faiblille applied to the court to set the petition for trial on March 14th.
Moments after the application was served on the two MPs and the EC, they quickly applied for extension of time whilst asking for further and better particulars from the petitioners and had their respective motions date fixed for 11th march, three days clear of the 14th march hearing.
On the 11th, the court did not sit due to reasons beyond its control.
However on the 14th when the case was called, the EC was not represented by its officials or counsel, whilst lawyer for Aquinas Quansah and Foster Andoh was also not present with the excuse that he was appearing at the Supreme Court.
This generated heated debate from Lawyer Egbert Faibille who asked for cost for the behavior of the two respondents and their lawyers in the case.
Having adjourned the hearing to the 19th of March 2013, the judge then awarded cost of GHS1,000 in each case against the electoral commission and GHS800 against the two NDC MPs.
Meanwhile, the 19th of March will see the court hearing the application from the petitioners and also the one from the two NDC MPs for further and better particulars.