Supreme Court to Hear Embattled Akwatia MP's Contempt Case on March 26
Accra, Ghana - 12 March, 2025 - In a landmark decision, Ghana's Supreme Court has granted Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, the right to a hearing in a contempt case brought against him.
The court's 4-1 majority ruling has sparked significant interest, as it sets a precedent for the treatment of contemnors in Ghana's judicial system..
The case stems from a contempt conviction issued by the Koforidua High Court on February 19, 2025, after Mr. Kumi defied an interim injunction barring him from being sworn in as a legislator. A bench warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest after he failed to appear before the court for sentencing.
Mr. Kumi's legal team argued that the High Court judge made a jurisdictional error by assuming authority over the Parliamentary Election Petition for Akwatia Constituency before the Electoral Commission had published the Gazette Notification. They sought a declaration that the petition was incompetent and that any orders based on it were void and ineffective.
The Supreme Court's decision to hear the case has adjourned the substantive case hearing to March 26, 2025, with the full ruling to be made available on March 21.
The contempt of court hearing has also been adjourned to March 26 for hearing.
Source: Lead News Online
