Ernest Kumi Files Application at the Supreme Court to Quash Contempt Conviction

Accra, Ghana - 25 Feb, 2025 - Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi is challenging a contempt of court conviction against him, filing a certiorari and prohibition application at the Supreme Court. 

Mr. Kumi's lawyer argue that the High Court judge who convicted him, Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amadehe, exceeded his jurisdiction by hearing the contempt application without proper notification.

The controversy surrounds a parliamentary election petition filed by Henry Boakye-Yiadom, which Mr. Kumi's lawyers claim was premature and incompetent.

According to his lawyers, Justice Amadehe assumed jurisdiction in the parliamentary election petition without the Electoral Commission publishing the Gazette Notification of the results.

They assert that Justice Amadehe unfairly denied Kumi’s legal team a hearing, arguing: "The learned High Court Judge was biased and highly prejudiced against the Applicant when he, among others, refused to grant Counsel for the Applicant audience on the basis that Counsel had not filed ‘Appearance’ in the Contempt application."

The Supreme Court application seeks to declare the petition and subsequent contempt proceedings null and void, citing breaches of natural justice and bias by the High Court judge.

The MP is seeking several reliefs, including:

- Declaration of Incompetence: A declaration that the petition filed by Henry Boakye-Yiadom on December 31, 2024, is incompetent due to the lack of Gazette Notification.
- Voiding of Contempt Proceedings: A declaration that the contempt proceedings and ruling are void and of no effect.
- Quashing of Bench Warrant: An order quashing the bench warrant issued by Justice Amadehe.

A date for the hearing is yet to be set.

Source: Lead News Online