The High Court in Kumasi has acquitted and discharged Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka, the former nominee for Juaben Municipal Chief Executive in the Ashanti Region.
The ruling brings an end to a high-profile trial that began in October 2022.
Sarfo-Kantanka had been facing 26 counts of corruption in connection with a public election.
The charges stemmed from a 2021 incident where he was seen in a viral video demanding refunds from assembly members after failing to secure their votes for confirmation as MCE.
The video led to an investigation and subsequent prosecution by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
However, in delivering her judgment, Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori found that while the footage showed Sarfo-Kantanka asking for money, it did not conclusively prove that the funds were intended to influence the assembly members’ votes.
The case had captured national attention due to its links to local governance and alleged abuse of the electoral process.
Many saw it as a test of the effectiveness of Ghana’s anti-corruption laws when it comes to political appointments.
Sarfo-Kantanka had allegedly offered GH¢5,000 to elected members and GH¢2,500 to government appointees in the Juaben Assembly during his bid for confirmation.
He failed to get the required votes after two rounds of voting in September and November 2021.
With the court’s decision, he now walks free after nearly three years of legal battles.
