Accra, Ghana – June 11, 2025 – The Supreme Court of Ghana has delivered a significant ruling, overturning the contempt of court conviction of Ernest Kumi, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia. The apex court’s decision effectively reinstates Kumi’s full rights as the elected representative for his constituency, quashing a High Court ruling that had barred him from acting in that capacity.
The 4-1 majority decision by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, granted all applications filed by the Akwatia MP. This included setting aside the contempt conviction handed down by a Koforidua High Court in the Eastern Region, quashing an interim injunction that prevented him from performing his duties, and prohibiting Justice Emmanuel Seny, the High Court judge who convicted him, from proceeding with sentencing in the case.
The Supreme Court’s ruling means that the contempt application, the High Court’s ruling, and all associated proceedings have been nullified. Consequently, Ernest Kumi is no longer legally barred from holding himself out as the Member of Parliament for Akwatia. Furthermore, the Supreme Court explicitly ruled that Justice Emmanuel Seny is to recuse himself from any further involvement in the case.
Background to the Legal Battle
The legal woes for Ernest Kumi began when a Koforidua High Court issued a bench warrant for his arrest after convicting him of contempt of court. Reports indicated that the warrant was issued following Kumi’s repeated failure to appear in court.
The contempt charge stemmed from Kumi’s alleged disobedience of an interim injunction issued on January 7, 2025. This injunction specifically prohibited him from being sworn in and admitted as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Akwatia Constituency. The injunction was put in place due to an ongoing legal dispute concerning the legitimacy of his election.
Despite the clear court order, Ernest Kumi proceeded to Parliament and was sworn in as an MP on the very same day, January 7, 2025, a move that the High Court deemed a blatant disregard for its authority.
Presiding Judge, Justice Senyo Amedahe, in the High Court proceedings, had emphasized that the convict had consistently failed to appear in court throughout the contempt case. The judge also dismissed a letter submitted by the Minority Caucus in Parliament, which sought to explain Kumi’s absence by citing his parliamentary duties. Justice Amedahe firmly rejected this explanation, stating that accepting it would contradict his earlier ruling on the matter.
The Supreme Court’s intervention now brings a significant turning point in the legal dispute, allowing the Akwatia MP to fully resume his legislative responsibilities.
Source: Thepressradio.com
