The Supreme Court has ruled out a contempt charge it levelled against former deputy Attorney General and spokesperson for the petitioner in the ongoing election petition, Dr. Dominic Ayine, over a comment he passed positing that, the Supreme Court had a predetermined agenda against the petitioner.
Reading out the verdict in court today, February 25, 2021, Chief Justice Anin Yeboah indicated that, the reason for the discharge of the case was due to the fact that, Dr.Ayine adhered to the orders of the court by retracting his statement and apologizing.
The Supreme Court also pointed out that, they had seen the apology video and would act accordingly and urged the Dr. Ayine to stay true to his word.
Counsel for Dr. Ayine, Lawyer Frank Beechem, also assured the Supreme Court that, his client will not repeat the mistake he made.
“My Lord, we thank you for your kindness, we promise we will go and sin no more.”
Also present and unexpected at the court was the counsel for the Electoral Commission, Lawyer Justin Amenuvor, who when asked of his reason for coming, told the court that he was there to support Dr. Ayine as a friend.
“Yes my Lord, I came to support my roommate, best man and my best friend. I am not appearing as a counsel but as a friend of Dominic Ayine and the best man at his wedding. He was Commonwealth Hall Secretary in our year. He’s a very good friend and we go way back.”
Justin Amenuvor
He also thanked the court for striking out the charges against the legislator.
Also present were counsel for the petitioner, Tony Lithur, Marietta Brew, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, Edudzi Tamakloe among others.
Dr. Dominic Ayine, on February 16, 2021 intimated that, the Supreme Court’s decision to reduce all their petitions into a single case had caused him to believe it is a predetermined agenda to rule against the petition.
Speaking during a press conference after a court session, he described the situation as a rather unfortunate one, where he further described the Court’s ruling as one that has done a great disservice to the nation since Ghanaians were mainly following the petition due to their interest in knowing the truth.
He posited that, the country should be worried that a public officer like the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, was being prevented from rendering account of her stewardship during the election.
Read More: Reduction of Petitions Into A Single Case, A Predetermined Agenda- Dominic Ayine
However, Dr Ayine, rendered an apology to the Supreme Court over the contempt statement he made, as he publicly retracted and apologised for his slanderous comment against the Supreme court on February 23, 2021.
“I am here this evening in respect of the remarks that I made to you on February 16, 2021, after court proceedings. Those remarks were widely publicised by the media. I have looked at what I said that day and have come to the conclusion that I went overboard.”
Dominic Ayine
Dr. Ayine accepted that, he had crossed the line with respect to the remarks he made in terms of attributing inappropriately to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Ghana.
“I reflected on that day and realised I had crossed the line, I wish to unreservedly apologise to the court as well as the justices who sat on that day. There was no intention on my part to impugn with integrity, I was just expressing a sentiment with respect to the ruling on that day and I want to render an unqualified apology.”
Dominic Ayine
Dr Ayine promised not to repeat the same mistake and vowed to be of good behaviour.
