Supreme Court Stays Sentencing Of Ernest Kumi In Contempt Case

The Supreme Court, in a majority decision of 4-1, has stayed the sentencing of Kumi, the embattled Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia, who was convicted of contempt by a High Court in Koforidua.

The ruling effectively halts the High Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe, from proceeding with the Member of Parliament for Akwatia’s sentencing, until the Apex Court delivers its final ruling on March 12, 2025.

The decision followed a submission by Ernest Kumi’s lead counsel, Gary Nimako Marfo, who urged the Supreme Court to intervene and prevent the High Court from sentencing his client.

However, the Supreme Court, while granting the stay, refused to entertain two applications filed by the Akwatia MP – a motion for judicial review in the nature of certiorari and prohibition, and a motion on notice for an order of certiorari and prohibition.

The five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, ruled that Ernest Kumi must first comply with the High Court’s orders before seeking relief from the Supreme Court. Justice Pwamang was the sole dissenter in the decision to stay the High Court’s sentencing.

“We are all superior courts and we are aware that the High Court in Koforidua made orders in the nature of contempt. If you are in contempt, you would purge yourself. You don’t avoid answering it and then you’re given a hearing,” the presiding judge stated.

Legal Teams Ordered to File Motions

As part of its ruling, the Supreme Court has directed Kumi’s legal team, as well as that of the first interested party, Henry Boakye-Yiadom, to file simultaneous motions addressing why they should be entertained by the Apex Court in the first place.

During the proceedings, Ernest Kumi’s counsel argued that the High Court had disregarded documents his client had filed and insisted that the motion before the Supreme Court was submitted before the High Court’s contempt ruling. He also claimed he was unaware of the contempt order.

However, Bernard Bediako, counsel for the first interested party, challenged this assertion, stating that Kumi’s legal team had already filed a separate motion at the Supreme Court, seeking to set aside the contempt judgment.

Justice Pwamang maintained that the Supreme Court could not grant counsel and audience until Ernest Kumi responds to the High Court’s contempt ruling.

Ernest Kumi Absent from Proceedings

The court briefly adjourned for almost 30 minutes, following its decision not to entertain Ernest Kumi’s application.

The Akwatia MP was absent from the proceedings, but was represented by Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

While the High Court has been temporarily barred from sentencing Ernest Kumi, the contempt conviction and an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest remain in effect.

The other justices are Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Ernest Gaewu, Henry Anthony Kwofie and Richard Adjei-Frimpong.

The post Supreme Court Stays Sentencing Of Ernest Kumi In Contempt Case appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

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