OSP appeals acquittal of Juaben MCE nominee in alleged bribe case

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed an appeal against the decision of the High Court in Kumasi to acquit and discharge Alexander Kwabena Sarfo-Kantanka, a former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo nominee for Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Juaben in the Ashanti Region.

According to the OSP, Mr Sarfo-Kantanka had been at the centre of a high-profile corruption case following the emergence of a widely circulated video showing him demanding refunds from assembly members after his nomination was rejected.

The OSP subsequently charged him with 26 counts of corruption, alleging that he had paid bribes to influence the confirmation process.

The case, which had been under public scrutiny, faced a significant delay when the presiding judge was transferred on the day the verdict was initially scheduled to be delivered in November 2024. Judgement was finally delivered on 26 May 2025.

In its ruling, the court held that the video footage, while suggestive, did not provide a direct evidential link between Mr Sarfo-Kantanka and the alleged act of bribery. As a result, he was acquitted and discharged on all charges.

The OSP, however, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the court’s decision.

In a statement shared via its official Facebook page on Thursday, June 26, the OSP stated that it “disagrees with the ruling” and maintains that “the judgement is inconsistent with the weight of the evidence”.

It further argued that the trial judge “erred on key legal and factual issues”.

“The Office believes justice was not served,” the statement read, confirming that it had taken steps to contest the decision at the appellate level.

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