The Koforidua High Court has convicted Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for contempt of court.
The ruling follows his blatant defiance of an interim injunction that barred him from being sworn in as a legislator.
Presiding Judge Justice Senyo Amedahe issued a bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest after he failed to appear before the court for sentencing.
Counsel for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Akwatia Bernard Bediako told the media after proceeding that Ernest Kumi cannot continue to hold himself as an MP.
“A letter emanated from their own caucus and said that he could not come to Parliament because he was undertaking some serious business.
“Now the court said he would not even entertain that letter because if he did, it would amount to an inconsistency on his own part because he has ruled that the gentleman cannot hold himself as a Member of Parliament.”
The court on January 6, 2025, restrained the Mr. Kumi from presenting himself for the swearing-in ceremony, pending the resolution of a legal dispute, but Kumi proceeded to take the oath of office in Parliament despite the court directive.
Justice Amedahe citing overwhelming evidence of willful defiance, ruled that the lawmaker had acted in contempt of court.
With the bench warrant now in effect, authorities are expected to enforce his arrest and ensure compliance with the court’s ruling
