The Koforidua High Court witnessed a significant legal development on Friday, March 14, 2025, in the case involving independent parliamentary candidate Kwadjo Asante, known as Oboafo, and Suhum Member of Parliament Frank Asiedu Bekoe, also known as Protozoa. Asante had initially filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to prevent Bekoe from being sworn in as the MP for Suhum following the 2024 parliamentary elections. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Asante withdrew his application for the injunction during the court proceedings. This decision followed arguments presented by Bekoe’s legal counsel, who asserted that the injunction had become moot due to Bekoe already being sworn in and the Electoral Commission (EC) gazetting the election results.
The crux of Bekoe’s lawyer’s argument rested on the established fact of Bekoe’s swearing-in and the official recognition of the election outcome by the EC. By gazetting the results, the EC had formally declared Bekoe as the duly elected MP for Suhum. The lawyer contended that given these circumstances, an injunction preventing Bekoe from assuming office would be redundant and ineffective. Since Bekoe was already performing his duties as the MP, the court’s intervention through an injunction was no longer necessary or legally relevant.
The presiding judge, having considered the arguments presented by Bekoe’s legal team, concurred with their assessment. The court acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding the case had changed significantly since the initial filing of the injunction application. The judge subsequently struck out the application, effectively ending the pursuit of the injunction. This decision paves the way for Bekoe to continue serving as the MP for Suhum while the underlying legal dispute between him and Asante proceeds through the court system.
Though the injunction application has been dismissed, the substantive case brought by Asante against Bekoe is far from over. The legal battle between the two continues, with the core issues of the dispute yet to be addressed. The adjournment of the case to Monday, March 31, 2025, signals the next phase of this legal contest. The upcoming hearings will delve into the merits of Asante’s claims and Bekoe’s defenses, potentially leading to a final determination on the validity of the election outcome and Bekoe’s parliamentary seat.
The court hearing was attended by key figures on both sides of the legal battle. Bekoe was present, accompanied by a contingent of supporters, including the Suhum NPP Constituency Executives, led by Chairman Frederick Ofosu. Their presence underscored the political significance of the case and the local support for Bekoe. Representing Bekoe in court was his legal team, headed by Garry Nimako. Their legal arguments played a pivotal role in the outcome of the injunction application, effectively neutralizing Asante’s initial legal maneuver.
The withdrawal of the injunction application marks a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute. While it allows Bekoe to continue his duties as MP, it also sets the stage for a more comprehensive legal examination of the issues at hand. The upcoming court dates will be crucial in determining the final outcome of this case and shaping the political landscape of the Suhum constituency. The legal arguments, evidence presented, and the court’s subsequent rulings will be closely watched by both the local community and the wider Ghanaian political scene.
