Akwatia Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi, has filed an appeal challenging the Koforidua High Court’s ruling that found him guilty of contempt and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

0

In addition to the appeal, his legal team has submitted an application for a stay of execution, seeking to suspend the court’s order while the case undergoes further review.

1

The High Court ruled that Mr Kumi was in contempt for violating an injunction that barred his swearing-in as a legislator. When he failed to appear before the court for sentencing, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

2

Reacting to the development, the Minority in Parliament has condemned the court’s decision, arguing that it was excessive. Speaking to the media, Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib expressed strong disagreement with the ruling.

3

“Legal steps have been taken. A notice of appeal has been filed against the ruling of the high court at the Court of Appeal. An application for stay of execution pending appeal has also been filed at the high court in Koforidua.

4

Moreover, all the parties to the section to the certiorari and prohibition application, including the judge, His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedeheh, who is the respondent to this application before the Supreme Court, have been duly served. Further legal steps will be taken, and the Minority Caucus in Parliament will abreast the Ghanaian public on the way forward,” he stated.

5

He further stressed that Ghana’s democracy is built on principles of fairness, justice, and the rule of law, cautioning that the court’s ruling could set a troubling precedent.

6

Background

7

On January 3, 2025, the Koforidua High Court issued an interim injunction restraining Ernest Yaw Kumi from being sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Akwatia. The injunction stemmed from a legal challenge by Henry Boakye-Yiadom, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate and former MP, who contested the election results.

8

Boakye-Yiadom had filed a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission (EC), Kumi, and the Clerk to Parliament, disputing the outcome of the polls. Official results had declared Kumi victorious with 19,269 votes, while Boakye-Yiadom secured 17,206 votes.

9

Despite the court’s order, Kumi went ahead with his swearing-in on January 7, 2025. His legal team, led by Lawyer Gary Nimako, later sought to overturn the injunction, but the court dismissed their application.

10

On February 19, 2025, the Koforidua High Court issued a bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest, citing his absence from contempt proceedings and his failure to comply with the earlier injunction.

11

Akwatia MP appeals contempt of court ruling; files application to stay bench warrant

12

Akwatia Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi, has filed an appeal challenging the Koforidua High Court’s ruling that found him guilty of contempt and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

13

In addition to the appeal, his legal team has submitted an application for a stay of execution, seeking to suspend the court’s order while the case undergoes further review.

14

The High Court ruled that Mr Kumi was in contempt for violating an injunction that barred his swearing-in as a legislator. When he failed to appear before the court for sentencing, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

15

Reacting to the development, the Minority in Parliament has condemned the court’s decision, arguing that it was excessive. Speaking to the media, Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib expressed strong disagreement with the ruling.

16

“Legal steps have been taken. A notice of appeal has been filed against the ruling of the high court at the Court of Appeal. An application for stay of execution pending appeal has also been filed at the high court in Koforidua.

17

Moreover, all the parties to the section to the certiorari and prohibition application, including the judge, His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedeheh, who is the respondent to this application before the Supreme Court, have been duly served. Further legal steps will be taken, and the Minority Caucus in Parliament will abreast the Ghanaian public on the way forward,” he stated.

18

He further stressed that Ghana’s democracy is built on principles of fairness, justice, and the rule of law, cautioning that the court’s ruling could set a troubling precedent.

19

Background

20

On January 3, 2025, the Koforidua High Court issued an interim injunction restraining Ernest Yaw Kumi from being sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Akwatia. The injunction stemmed from a legal challenge by Henry Boakye-Yiadom, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate and former MP, who contested the election results.

21

Boakye-Yiadom had filed a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission (EC), Kumi, and the Clerk to Parliament, disputing the outcome of the polls. Official results had declared Kumi victorious with 19,269 votes, while Boakye-Yiadom secured 17,206 votes.

22

Despite the court’s order, Kumi went ahead with his swearing-in on January 7, 2025. His legal team, led by Lawyer Gary Nimako, later sought to overturn the injunction, but the court dismissed their application.

23

On February 19, 2025, the Koforidua High Court issued a bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest, citing his absence from contempt proceedings and his failure to comply with the earlier injunction.

24