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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised serious concerns over the sudden transfer of its election petition case involving the Ahafo Ano South West and Obuasi East parliamentary results, describing the move as lacking transparency and due process.
The party’s Ashanti Regional Legal Director, Evans Amankwah, who is representing the petitioners, has expressed frustration over the unexplained reassignment of the case to a different court without any prior notification.
Concerns Over Fairness and Transparency
Speaking to journalists after court proceedings at the Kumasi High Court, Mr. Amankwah revealed that his team had arrived at Court 8 as scheduled, only to be informed that their case had been moved to Court 2.
“We were fully prepared to continue the case in Court 8, where all previous hearings had taken place. But after concluding other matters, we were informed that our case had been transferred—without any official communication. To our surprise, the respondents were already seated in Court 2 before we even knew about the change,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the Chief Justice has the authority to reassign cases, he insisted that such decisions must be based on clear and justifiable reasons, with all parties being properly informed.
“If there was a valid petition for the transfer, why were we not notified? This raises serious concerns about fairness and due process,” he argued.
Suspicion Over Sudden Case Transfer
Mr. Amankwah further questioned how the respondents, who had previously failed to appear in court for the case, were aware of the transfer while his legal team remained in the dark.
He described the development as deeply troubling, suggesting that it could be a deliberate attempt to manipulate the proceedings.
Despite these concerns, he reaffirmed his confidence in the judiciary, urging the courts to ensure that justice is served without bias or unnecessary delays.
“We will remain vigilant and ensure that no procedural irregularities interfere with the fair resolution of this case,” he warned.
Case Adjourned to March 25, 2025
Following the latest proceedings, the case has been adjourned to March 25, 2025, after motions were filed—another move the petitioners claim they were not informed about until arriving in court.
The NDC’s petition challenges the results of the 2024 parliamentary elections in Ahafo Ano South West and Obuasi East, alleging electoral irregularities that must be addressed through legal means.
As the legal battle continues, the NDC is calling for greater transparency, fairness, and adherence to due process to ensure that the will of the people is upheld.
