Corruption Trial: Court Orders Failed Juaben MCE Nominee To Open Defence
The Kumasi High Court trying failed Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) nominee, Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka on 26 counts on election-related corruption, has asked him to open his defence.
Sarfo-Kantanka who failed to secure approval as MCE, following his nomination by President Akufo-Addo, is facing 26 counts of corruption, relating to alleged bribery of some assembly members to secure their approval contrary to sections 256(1) and (2) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) as amended by section 9 of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 1034).”
He was caught on camera demanding the return of monies after he 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.
Special Prosecutor
The Office of the Special Prosecutor initiated investigation into the allegations after a video surfaced online showing Sarfo-Kantanka demanding a refund of the monies he allegedly paid to the assembly members to expedite his approval.
The accused allegedly gave the elected assembly members GH₵5000 and GH₵2,500 to each of the government appointees. “The accused admitted gifting the indicated sums of money to the respective categories of the members of the assembly to influence the outcome of the election in his favour,” the Special Prosecutor revealed.
