A leading member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a Public Interest Lawyer, Mr Sam Pee Yaley has advised his fellow lawyers not to prejudge the election petition currently being heard at the Supreme Court.
He was referring to the various comments that came forth after Tuesday’s proceedings at the Supreme Court from lawyers of the petitioners (NPP) and the respondents (NDC).
Justices at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, begun sitting for the first time on the petition brought before them by three leaders of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP); namely, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Chairman of the NPP, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, 2012 vice presidential candidate for NPP, and Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, the 2012 presidential candidate of the NPP.
After hearing, various lawyers granted interviews to reporters; giving comments on what happened inside the Supreme Court.
Mr Sam Pee Yalley, contributing to panel discussions on Wednesday’s edition of Kokrokoo has admonished the lawyers to be mindful of comments they make. He said they should allow the case to be judged in court and not prejudge it in the court of public opinion.
“My advice to fellow lawyers is to keep the cases in court and not bring it to the court of public opinion. The fact that they are following you for reactions does not mean you can say anything you want.
I am however, happy that this case is going on and it’s even being telecast live. It will add a lot of things to our development. At the end of this case, Ghana would have enriched our constitution, and many of us who might not have insight about the election petition, we would have understood it better…”