The Supreme Court has ruled in a 4-1 majority decision that Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, is entitled to a Supreme Court hearing in a contempt case against him.
Justice Gabriel Pwamang dissented, while the other four justices on the panel upheld the MP’s right to have the matter heard by the apex court.
As a result, the Supreme Court has scheduled the substantive hearing for March 26, 2025. Additionally, the full ruling, as stated by the chair of the panel, will be made available on March 21.
The case originates from a contempt ruling by the Koforidua High Court, which convicted Mr. Kumi on February 19, 2025, for defying an interim injunction that barred him from being sworn in as an MP. The court subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for sentencing.
Challenging the High Court’s decision, Mr. Kumi filed a motion for certiorari and prohibition, arguing that the judge lacked jurisdiction to handle the parliamentary election petition. His legal team contended that the case was premature, as the Electoral Commission had not yet published the Gazette Notification of the election results.
The MP is seeking a Supreme Court order to nullify the High Court’s February 19, 2025, contempt ruling, as well as the petition filed by Henry Boakye-Yiadom on December 31, 2024. He also wants the Supreme Court to overturn earlier orders related to the case, including an interim injunction issued on January 2, 2025, and a ruling made on January 6, 2025.
With the Supreme Court granting him the right to a hearing, the legal battle over his parliamentary status and the contempt charge is set to continue later this month.
