The High Court in Kumasi has acquitted and discharged Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka, former President Akufo-Addo’s nominee for Juaben Municipal Chief Executive in the Ashanti Region.

He had been facing 26 counts of corruption-related charges in connection with a public election since May 2022.

The full trial against Mr Sarfo-Kantanka began in the Kumasi High Court on October 20, 2022.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor initiated an investigation into these allegations after a video surfaced online showing Mr Sarfo-Kantanka demanding a refund of the money he allegedly paid to the assembly members.

The money was reportedly paid to assembly members to secure confirmation of his nomination.

• Read also: Judge transferred just before judgment delivery in OSP’s corruption case against failed Juaben MCE nominee

However, in her judgment, Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori ruled that the video did not prove the money was intended to influence the assembly members' votes, even though it showed him demanding funds from members involved in his election.

• Read Also: Rejected Juaben MCE case: High court admits viral video as evidence

Background

It is recalled that in 2022, the OSP dragged Mr Sarfo Kantanka, who was charged with 26 counts of election-related corruption, before the High Court in Kumasi.

Mr Sarfo Kantanka, who failed to secure the needed votes to become the MCE for the Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region after two rounds of voting in September and November 2021, was caught on camera demanding the return of monies he had paid to some members of the assembly to influence his confirmation.

The suspect allegedly gave the elected members of the assem­bly GH¢5000 each and gave GH¢2,500 to each of the govern­ment appointees.