Former President Mahama has filed his witness statements in the ongoing election petition trial as ordered by the court.

Mr Mahama will be relying on the testimonies of the NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia and a member of the party Dr Michael Kpessa-Whyte to prosecute his case.

This follows a warning from the Apex court for the petitioners to file their witness statements on 21 January 2021 or risk having their case dismissed.

But, co-counsel for Mr Mahama, Tony Lithur, who took the place of lead counsel Tsatsu Tsikata in his absence in court on Tuesday, 26 January 2021 explained they had not filed the witness statement because they had earlier filed stay of proceedings application to allow for the possible review of the ruling on his attempt to serve interrogatories on the Electoral Commission (EC).

Mr Lithur argued that “Filing processes while the application for stay of proceedings is pending will amount to taking a first step which may be used against us in determining the application”.

The court, however, ordered that petitioners file the witness statement by Wednesday, 27 January 2021.

Lawyers for the second respondent, President Akufo-Addo believes the petitioners are unnecessarily delaying the hearing of the election petition.