Supreme Court Overturns Contempt Conviction of Akwatia MP, Bars High Court Judge from Sentencing

The Supreme Court has, in a 4-1 majority decision, overturned the contempt conviction against Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, and restrained Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe of the Koforidua High Court from proceeding with sentencing the lawmaker.

The ruling comes after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP filed a motion challenging the Koforidua High Court’s jurisdiction in entertaining a parliamentary election petition filed against him. Kumi argued that the petition was premature, as the Electoral Commission had not yet officially gazetted the results of the Akwatia parliamentary elections at the time it was filed on December 31, 2024.

While the Supreme Court agreed with the MP on the contempt ruling, it unanimously dismissed the broader request to nullify the entire parliamentary election petition.

Among the reliefs sought by Hon. Ernest Yaw Kumi were:

1. A declaration that the petition filed before the gazetting of the Akwatia election results was incompetent and did not properly invoke the High Court’s jurisdiction.

2. A declaration that the contempt proceedings and related ruling dated February 19, 2025, were invalid due to the premature nature of the election petition.

3. A certiorari order to quash all related High Court rulings—including those dated January 2 and January 6, 2025—arising from the petition.

4. An order to nullify the February 19 contempt ruling and the bench warrant issued for his arrest.

5. A prohibition order restraining Justice Amedahe from sentencing him while the Supreme Court matter was pending.

6. Any further orders deemed appropriate by the court.

Though the apex court did not grant all the MP’s requests, it found sufficient grounds to void the contempt conviction and halt any sentencing efforts by the High Court.

This decision marks a legal win for the Akwatia MP while allowing the core election petition process to continue under proper procedural conditions.