The High Court in Koforidua has dismissed an election petition filed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Suhum, Prince Addo, challenging the election of Frank Asiedu Bekoe, popularly known as Protozoa, as Member of Parliament for the constituency.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, December 18, the Member of Parliament for Akuapim North, Sammi Awuku, said the case collapsed after cross-examination by lawyers for the respondents exposed what he described as major weaknesses in the petitioner’s claims.
According to Mr Awuku, the court found that the petition lacked merit and could not stand the test of scrutiny, making it impossible to overturn the declared election results.
“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,” he stated.
He explained that following the dismissal, the respondents applied for costs and damages for the time spent defending the case over the one-year duration of the trial. While the respondents had initially sought GH¢500,000, the petitioner argued for a much lower amount of GH¢50,000.
“In its wisdom, the court granted GH¢200,000 in costs and damages to the respondents,” Mr Awuku added.
Kwadjo Asante, who contested the 2024 parliamentary election in Suhum as an independent candidate, had asked the court to annul the results and order a re-run, arguing that the election was flawed.
However, the court upheld the decision of the Electoral Commission declaring Frank Asiedu Bekoe, popularly known as Protozoa, as the duly elected Member of Parliament for the constituency.
In the final results of the 2024 polls, Mr Bekoe secured 16,855 votes to win the seat, beating the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Prince Kwadwo Addo Tabiri, who garnered 15,259 votes. Kwadjo Asante placed third with 14,860 votes.
The ruling brings to an end the legal challenge to the Suhum parliamentary election, affirming Mr Bekoe’s victory and maintaining the status quo in the constituency.
