Obuasi High Court dismisses K.T. Hammond’s 2024 election petition, slaps him with GH¢60K fine
On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the High Court in Obuasi, located in the Ashanti region, delivered a significant ruling by dismissing an election petition brought forward by Kobina Tahiru Hammond, widely recognized as K.T. Hammond, who previously served as the Minister for Trade and Industry. The petition contested the victory of Godwin Animli Dorgbadzi Dorani in the parliamentary election for the Adansi Asokwa constituency.
Justice Kwabena Twumasi, presiding over the case, not only struck out the petition but also imposed a substantial fine of Gh¢60,000 on Mr. Hammond. The judge described the legal action as a misuse of judicial resources, labeling it a waste of the court’s valuable time and attention.
Richard Andy, the legal counsel representing Mr. Dorani, addressed the media following the court’s decision. He emphasized that the petition lacked any substantial merit from the outset and expressed satisfaction that the matter had finally been laid to rest, allowing his client to move forward without further distraction.
The ruling was seen as a pivotal moment for Mr. Dorani, the successful candidate, as it cleared the path for him to focus entirely on his responsibilities as a Member of Parliament. Mr. Andy highlighted that the resolution of the case would enable the MP to dedicate his efforts to serving the constituents of Adansi Asokwa without the overhang of legal disputes.
In the 2024 general elections, K.T. Hammond, who had held the Adansi Asokwa parliamentary seat for over two decades, suffered a defeat at the hands of Mr. Dorani. The margin of victory was relatively narrow, with Mr. Dorani securing 954 more votes than his opponent.
Representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Dorani garnered 14,229 votes in the election, while Mr. Hammond, the incumbent, managed to secure 13,275 votes, falling short of retaining his long-held position.
Unhappy with the electoral outcome, Mr. Hammond initiated legal proceedings by filing a petition at the Obuasi High Court on January 15, 2025, seeking to challenge the declared results of the Adansi Asokwa parliamentary election.
The dismissal of the case was ultimately precipitated by Mr. Hammond’s failure to attend court hearings on three separate occasions. This consistent absence led the court to conclude the matter in favor of Mr. Dorani, bringing an end to the legal challenge.
