In a significant development within Ghana's political landscape, former Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Kobina Tahiru Hammond, has expressed his intent to appeal the GHC60,000 cost imposed on him by the Obuasi High Court. The court's decision followed the dismissal of a petition filed by Mr. Hammond, which sought to challenge the election of Godwin Dorani as the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa.
The petition was dismissed after Mr. Hammond failed to appear before the court on three consecutive occasions. Addressing members of the media, Mr. Hammond described the financial penalty as unjust and attributed his absence in court to a series of procedural missteps.
The Court's Decision and KT Hammond's Response
The Obuasi High Court ruled against Mr. Hammond's petition on Tuesday, citing his repeated absence from the proceedings. This decision effectively affirmed Godwin Dorani's election victory. However, Mr. Hammond has strongly contested the circumstances surrounding the case, emphasizing that the imposed cost was excessive and unwarranted.
“I’m not too upset with the judge. There was some mix-up; there was no attendance by the lawyers, I’m told. You can understand. We filed a petition, a few things went wrong,” Mr. Hammond stated.
He further alleged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured the Adansi Asokwa parliamentary seat by default rather than through merit. According to him, irregularities during the 2024 parliamentary election contributed to this outcome, including reports of ballot boxes being sighted at unauthorized locations and a lack of voter participation from some New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters.
“The NDC won the Asokwa election by default. For whatever reason, we, the NPP, decided to hand over power on a silver platter. He didn’t win,” Mr. Hammond remarked.
Procedural Concerns and Legal Representation
Mr. Hammond also shed light on the reasons behind his absence from court proceedings, which ultimately led to the dismissal of his petition. He pointed to issues with legal representation and procedural errors as contributing factors.
“He [lawyer] talked about me not filing the suit myself, but it was filed in my name. He made a scandalous suggestion that I ask someone [a lawyer] whose name was not even registered on the bar list. I don’t even understand. This is a person who was my classmate, and we left the university and law school same year. He has been in practice for close to 35 to 40 years,” he explained.
Implications and Next Steps
Mr. Hammond's decision to appeal the court's ruling reflects his commitment to challenging what he perceives as an unfair judgment. The case raises broader questions about electoral processes, voter participation, and legal accountability in Ghana's parliamentary elections.
As the appeal process unfolds, it will be watched closely by political observers and stakeholders, given its potential implications for both the NPP and NDC in Adansi Asokwa and beyond. For now, Mr. Hammond remains resolute in his stance, seeking justice and clarity on the matters surrounding his petition and subsequent court ruling.
This case underscores the importance of adherence to procedural norms and robust legal representation in electoral disputes. It also highlights the need for transparent electoral practices to ensure fairness and credibility in Ghana's democratic processes.
Stay tuned for updates as KT Hammond pursues legal recourse in his bid to overturn the court's decision and associated costs.
-Citinewsroom
Curated by Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
