Kumasi High court clears Ex Juaben MCE nominee of all corruption charges

The High Court in Kumasi has acquitted and discharged Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka, former nominee for Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) under President Akufo-Addo’s administration, after a lengthy corruption trial.

Sarfo-Kantanka had been facing 26 counts of corruption-related charges stemming from his failed confirmation as MCE in 2021. The charges were brought by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in May 2022 after a viral video appeared to show him demanding refunds from assembly members, allegedly after paying them for votes.

The trial commenced on October 20, 2022, with the prosecution relying heavily on video footage as evidence. The OSP argued that Sarfo-Kantanka attempted to bribe assembly members by distributing GH¢5,000 each to elected officials and GH¢2,500 to government appointees to secure their support.

However, in a ruling delivered by Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori, the court held that the footage—while showing Sarfo-Kantanka demanding repayment—did not conclusively prove the money was given to influence the outcome of the election. The judge noted that the prosecution failed to establish a direct link between the alleged payments and an intent to corrupt the voting process.

The case drew national attention, especially after reports emerged that the presiding judge was transferred shortly before the verdict was originally expected.

Sarfo-Kantanka had been nominated to lead the Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region, but failed to gain confirmation after two rounds of voting in September and November 2021.

Following the acquittal, questions remain about the strength of evidence used in high-profile corruption cases and the broader implications for political accountability.