Court’s ruling is the voice of the people – Zabzugu MP after court dismisses petition

Member of Parliament for Zabzugu Jabaah John Bennam has welcomed the Tamale High Court’s ruling affirming his election to Ghana’s parliament.

The legislator, who could not hide his excitement said that the ruling clearly demonstrates that he was chosen by the people of Zabzugu.

“I thank God today [Friday, January 20, 2023] because the court has spoken. The court has indeed spoken the voice of the people of Zabzugu. The court declaration of me as the MP has clearly demonstrated that the good people of Zabzugu decided that it was me who will lead them,” he said shortly after the ruling.

The legislator’s comment comes after the Tamale High Court dismissed the election petition challenging the parliamentary results of Zabzugu.

The court presided over by Justice Daniel Obeng said the petitioner failed to provide evidence to warrant the reliefs being sought.

In its ruling, delivered on Friday, January 20, the court held that the allegations raised by the petitioner were simply administrative errors and no issue of over-voting has been proven.

The trial judge explained that the said administrative errors did not affect the outcome of the elections, thus confirming the results declared by Ghana’s electoral body.

He also awarded a cost of GH¢20,000 to the Electoral Commission as well as GH¢40,000 to John Bennam Jabaah, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for the Zabzugu constituency.

The petition was filed by the Zabzugu NDC 2020 parliamentary candidate, Umar Alhassan against the elected Member of Parliament for the area.