AWW MP not ‘relevant’ witness – Short C’ssion justifies why it won’t take her evidence

The Short Commission has justified its decision not to take evidence from the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Ms Lydia Seyram Alhassan, stating she is not a relevant witness in the investigations into the violent incident recorded in the by-election she won.

Though the three-member Commission at the start of its work planned to invite the new MP and all other candidates in the January 31 by-election, but has reconsidered the decision and resolved not to invite her anymore.

“Even though initially we had decided to speak to all the candidates, the Commission subsequent reassessment concluded that we should speak to people who have primary evidence and who therefore were relevant,” Secretary to the Commission Dr Ernest Kofi Abotsi told journalist.

This was when he joined the Commission, its lawyer and police investigators on a fact-finding mission to the crime scene Friday morning to analyse evidence that were left by the incident which received wide condemnation.

• Guns fired at AWW couldn’t be warning shots – ballistic expert reveals

The new decision of the Commission, Dr Abotsi explained was also borne out of the fact that “we don’t have a lot of time,” adding “we are speaking to most relevant people”.

Explaining why Ms Seyram Alhassan is not a relevant witness, he said “the MP was not on the scene,” of the violent incident at the La-Bawaleshie Presby School polling station, near the residence of the NDC candidate in the by-election, Delali Brempong who has already testified.

“She was not here. She never was here for the entire time. Everything she knows about this incident, she heard from someone. Therefore, she is only at best a secondary witness,” Mr Abotsi stated.

In the circumstance, the secretary said any evidence from Ms Seyram Alhassan will be based on what she heard from people, and for that matter “the Commission decided subsequently not to call her again”.

IGP summoned

Meanwhile, Dr Abotsi said the Commission is working towards meeting the one-month period given it to complete its work despite the fact that they are still expecting more relevant witnesses in the case.

“The Commission hopes to meet the deadline that has been set by the President. The Inspector General of Police is gonna testify next week and CODEO, and the CDD may testify next week among other people. We will call witnesses that are relevant,” he stated.

He said despite racing by time, “it is important that conclusions are thorough and complete, so that whatever recommendations are they will be useful and effective”.

The Commission resumes sitting for its third week on March 4.

By Stephen Kwabena Effah|3news.com|Ghana
Follow @steviekgh_TV3