After Dismissing Bogus 2024 Election Petition Saga.
The High Court in Obuasi, Ashanti Region, has dealt a severe blow to former Minister of Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahiru Hammond, famously known as K.T. Hammond, by throwing out his election petition against Godwin Animli Dorgbadzi Dorani’s victory in the Adansi Asokwa constituency in the 2024 general elections.
Justice Kwabena Twumasi, in a scathing rebuke, branded Hammond’s petition as “unmeritorious and time-wasting,” leading to the court’s decision to slap a hefty Gh¢60,000 fine on the disgruntled politician.
The ruling was delivered with conviction on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, as Justice Twumasi made it clear that frivolous and poorly pursued electoral cases would not be tolerated.
The background to this saga reveals a bitter electoral defeat for K.T. Hammond, a veteran New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart who had held the Adansi Asokwa MP seat for more than two decades. His loss to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Godwin Dorani, by a slim margin of 954 votes sparked Hammond’s legal challenge, claiming electoral irregularities and improprieties tainted the results.
However, Hammond’s credibility took a nosedive during the court proceedings due to his repeated absences when summoned, undermining the seriousness of his allegations. Justice Twumasi expressed disappointment at Hammond’s lack of commitment to his own petition, ultimately leading to the case’s dismissal without substantial evidence.
Following the court’s decision, Richard Andy, legal representative for Mr. Dorani, praised the ruling, highlighting the lack of merit in Hammond’s petition from the outset. Andy emphasized the importance of allowing the newly elected MP to fulfill his duties without the distraction of a protracted legal battle.
Supporters of the NDC in the Adansi Asokwa constituency celebrated the ruling as a validation of their preferred candidate’s victory in 2024. In contrast, some NPP members voiced dismay not only at Hammond’s loss but also at the mishandling of the legal challenge, suggesting that his absence had irreparably weakened his case.
The curtains have closed on K.T. Hammond’s bid to overturn the election result, with the High Court’s verdict standing as a stern warning against frivolous disputes in the electoral process.