The presidency has completed its role in transmitting petitions filed against the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), with all documents formally forwarded to the Chief Justice for further action, the government has said.
Clarifying the status of the petitions during the latest Government Accountability Series in Accra, the Minister in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said President John Mahama’s mandate in the matter ended once the petitions were conveyed to the appropriate constitutional authority.
Responding to a question from Akoua of Citi FM and Channel One TV, Kwakye Ofosu explained that a total of 10 petitions were received from various individuals and groups. Seven of the petitions were filed against the Electoral Commissioner and her two deputies, while three were directed at the Special Prosecutor.
“All of these petitions have been transmitted to the Chief Justice,” he said, adding that the action was taken several weeks ago and publicly announced at the time.
Kwakye Ofosu stressed that, unlike petitions against the Chief Justice, the President has no further role in determining the fate of complaints lodged against the EC leadership and the Special Prosecutor. As a result, the presidency is unable to provide updates on the progress of the cases.
“At this point, the President has no role again in that process, and I, as the President’s spokesperson, cannot speak to it because I honestly do not know where things stand,” he said.
He advised journalists seeking updates to direct enquiries to the Judicial Service, particularly the office of the Judicial Secretary, which would be better placed to provide information on the status of the petitions.
According to the minister, the Chief Justice is expected to first determine whether a prima facie case has been established in each petition. Should that threshold be met, a committee would then be constituted to investigate the allegations in line with constitutional provisions.
Kwakye Ofosu noted that while specific timelines apply to petitions involving the Office of the Special Prosecutor, similar timeframes may not necessarily exist for petitions against the Electoral Commission.
He reiterated government’s commitment to due process, emphasising that all constitutional procedures must be followed to ensure fairness and credibility in the handling of such sensitive matters.