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NDC Petitioner
questions the neutrality of Judge presiding over election
result
Hohoe, Jan. 30, Ghanadot/GNA-Lawyers for Dr. Joseph
Manboah Rockson, NDC Parliamentary candidate for Nkwanta-North
constituency have questioned the neutrality of Mr. Justice
Mustapha H. Logo, a Hohoe High Court judge in hearing a
petition against the constituency’s last December 7
Parliamentary election results.
The lawyers, Mr. Mike Adzovie, Mr Eric Atieku and Mr S. Ahor
have asked Mr Justice Logo “ to recuse himself” from hearing
the case.
He was alleged to be a close associate of the New Patriotic
Party (NPP) and had a relation with one Mr Agbenato,
immediate past Chairman of the NPP in the Biakoye
constituency.
They also alleged that Mr Justice Logo was instrumental in
the registration of the NPP in the Biakoye constituency and
also played active role in the affairs of the party during
his National Service after law school.
Mr Justice Logo responding said he has noted the reason that
informed the petitioner’s objections but the reasons were
not sufficient grounds for alleged bias.
He admitted that he knew Mr Agbanato but was neither his
god-father nor close friend of his late father.
Mr Justice Logo admitted offering some form of assistance to
the NPP in 1992 but he was not a card bearing member of that
party.
“Be that as it may, this is a political case and in most
cases passion rather than reason reigns”.
“Since the mind of the petitioner is agitated and his breast
is troubled as to the quality of justice he could obtain in
the Court, I think that I have recused myself which I hereby
do”, he said.
Mr Justice Logo said the “matter is accordingly and
respectfully remitted to her Ladyship Mrs Justice Georgina
Wood for her advice.
The reliefs being sought by Dr. Rockson include the
nullification of the December elections in the constituency
as void and that the Electoral Commission organize and
supervise fresh elections among the contestants or an order
directing the re-collation and recounting of the ballots.
Others were an order restraining the EC from gazetting the
results of the election in the constituency pending the
determination of the suit and final execution of orders by
the Court.
Dr Rockson was also seeking an order restraining Mr Joseph
Kwaku Nayan, (NPP), the elected candidate, his party, agents
or others from holding himself as Member of Parliament of
the Constituency.
He alleged that the constituency elections were
characterized by “patent and substantial electoral anomalies
and malpractices, misconduct and blatant abuse, brazen
corrupt practices which extensively undermined the electoral
process”.
The EC was represented by Mr A.K. Dabi of Lynes
Quarshie-Idun and Co, Accra while Mr T. Sory represented Mr
Nayan.
GNA
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