High Court dismisses Suhum election petition, awards GH¢200k costs

According to Mr Awuku, the court concluded that the petition lacked any solid basis and could not stand the test of legal scrutiny. He noted that the cross-examination conducted by lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua Nimako and his legal team revealed that the petitioner was unable to substantiate the allegations contained in the petition.

“The court dismissed the case on the basis that the petition had no foundation. The court also held that the cross-examination bravely exposed the petitioner’s lack of evidence,” Mr Awuku stated.

As part of its ruling, the court awarded GH¢200,000 in costs and damages against the petitioner for the year-long trial. The respondents had initially requested GH¢500,000, while the petitioner proposed a lower amount of GH¢50,000. The court, however, settled on GH¢200,000.

Kwadjo Asante, who contested the 2024 parliamentary election in Suhum as an independent candidate, had sought an annulment of the results and a re-run of the election. The court rejected the request, ruling that the declaration of the New Patriotic Party’s candidate, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, popularly known as Protozoa, as the duly elected Member of Parliament must stand.

In the 2024 parliamentary polls, Mr Asiedu Bekoe secured 16,855 votes to win the seat, beating the National Democratic Congress’ Prince Kwadwo Addo Tabiri, who obtained 15,259 votes. Mr Asante placed third with 14,860 votes.

The ruling brings to an end the legal challenge over the Suhum parliamentary seat and affirms the legitimacy of the election outcome as declared by the Electoral Commission.