Former Attorney-General Nii Ayikoi Otoo has downplayed the petition filed by one Kwame Ofosu-Appiah seeking the removal of Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa and her deputies.

Nii Ayikoi Otoo argued that the allegations levelled against the EC leadership do not meet the threshold for their dismissal.

He emphasized the need to differentiate between personal opinions expressed before assuming office and official conduct while in office.

Addressing Ofosu-Appiah’s claim that the EC’s discretion led to the disenfranchisement of residents of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) in the 2020 parliamentary elections, Ayikoi Otoo said: “I have looked at it, and I do not think that they meet the very serious issues that one would consider when seeking to remove the EC. I don’t see any of those things as very serious.”

He further pointed out that some of the accusations against the EC officials stem from statements or actions they made before assuming office.“In your intro, you mentioned that one of the deputies was alleged to have made certain statements while exercising his academic freedom.

Young men can take to doing all sorts of things, even experimenting with drugs.

But as they grow, they wean themselves off those things and realize it’s not the best.

These are not things that should engage our attention.

It doesn’t mean they should be forever barred from holding office.”

Ayikoi Otoo’s remarks suggest that the petition lacks substantial grounds for the removal of Jean Mensa and her deputies, reinforcing the argument that official actions while in office should be the primary basis for assessment.

The former Ambassador to Canada poured cold water on the petition while speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday.