In a 4-1 majority ruling, the Supreme Court has intervened to halt the Koforidua High Court from sentencing Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, in a contempt case. This stay is in effect until a final ruling is made on a motion seeking to overturn the High Court’s decision. Justice Gabriel Pwamang dissented, while the other four justices on the panel supported the stay
The contempt conviction arose after Mr. Kumi presented himself to be sworn in as an MP, allegedly defying an interim injunction that barred him from doing so. In response, Mr. Kumi’s legal team filed a certiorari at the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court judge committed a jurisdictional error by assuming authority over a parliamentary election petition before the Electoral Commission had officially gazetted the election results. They further contended that the judge breached natural justice principles by proceeding with the contempt application despite a pending motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction
The Supreme Court’s decision effectively pauses any sentencing by the High Court until the motion to quash the contempt ruling is resolved. This development adds a significant layer to the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the Akwatia parliamentary seat, which has been fraught with disputes since the December 2024 election
