The Supreme Court has in a 4-1 majority decision quashed the contempt conviction of MP for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, and barred the Koforidua High Court judge Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe from sentencing the legislator.
The NPP MP filed a motion to quash the Koforidua High Court’s contempt ruling order against him on February 19, 2025, citing that the presiding judge erred in assuming jurisdiction for the parliamentary election petition for Akwatia.
He averred that the the Electoral Commission (EC) had not yet published the gazette notification of the results of the Akwatia Parliamentary election.
The apex court also unanimously dismissed the reliefs by the Akwatia legislator seeking a declaration order from the Supreme Court nullifying the parliamentary election petition.
Below are the reliefs sought by Akwatia MP Ernest Yaw Kumi in the contempt case:
First is “a declaration that the Petition filed by the 1st Interested Party on 31 December 2024 in the absence of the gazetted notification of the parliamentary election results to which the election relates is incompetent as same did not properly invoke the jurisdiction of the High Court and that any order founded on same is void and of no effect.
Second, “a declaration that the contempt proceedings and the ruling dated 19th February 2025 founded on the premature election petition filed on 31 December 2024 is void and of no effect.
Third, ” an order of certiorari by this honourable court quashing the ruling of his lordship Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe sitting at the High Court 3, Koforidua dated 19t February, 2025, the petition filed on 31 December 2024, and the interim injunction order dated 2 January 2025, and the ruling dated 6 January 2025 made pursuant to the said premature Election Petition, filed on 31 December 2024.
Fourth, “an order quashing the ruling delivered on the contempt application and the execution of the bench warrant issued by the court dated 19 February 2025 by his lordship Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amadehe.
Fifth, “an order of prohibition against his lordship Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe from proceeding to sentence the applicant, Hon. Ernest Yaw Kumi pending the hearing and determination of the instant suit and lastly, any other order(s) as the court deem fit.”
Supreme Court stops Koforidua High Court from sentencing Akwatia MP Ernest Yaw Kumi
By Laud Adu-Asare
