The Koforidua High Court has dismissed the parliamentary election petition filed by former Suhum MP, Kwadjo Asante, ruling that the case lacked merit and failed to establish any credible evidence of electoral irregularities.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, December 18, the Member of Parliament for Akuapim North, Sammi Awuku, disclosed that cross-examination by lawyers for the respondents exposed significant weaknesses in the petitioner’s claims, making it impossible for the court to overturn the election outcome.
In a firm decision, the court awarded GH¢200,000 in costs and damages against the petitioner, rejecting a lower amount proposed by Asante, after the respondents had sought GH¢500,000 for the year-long trial.
“The court dismissed the case on the basis that the petition had no basis to stand on. The court also declared in its mind that the cross-examination which was undertaken by Lawyer Nimako and his legal team bravely exposed the petitioner’s lack of evidence in the petition that they filed before the High Court.
“The respondent, in acknowledgement of the ruling, also asked for costs and damages for the time wasted throughout the one year of the trial. Even though the petitioners asked for GH¢50,000 out of the GH¢500,000, the court, in its wisdom, granted GH¢200,000 in costs and damages to the respondents,” he stated.
Kwadjo Asante, who contested the 2024 parliamentary election as an independent candidate, had asked the court to annul the Suhum results and order a re-run.
However, the court held that the decision declaring Frank Asiedu Bekoe, also known as Protozoa, the winner of the election must stand.
Frank Asiedu Bekoe won the seat with 16,855 votes, ahead of NDC’s Prince Kwadwo Addo Tabiri, who polled 15,259 votes, while Asante, who contested as an independent candidate, secured 14,860 votes.