Ghana's Supreme Court threw out a contempt conviction against Ernest Yaw Kumi on Wednesday morning. The New Patriotic Party lawmaker from Akwatia won his case against the High Court ruling. Four justices voted to overturn the conviction, with one judge dissenting. The decision stops all punishment from the original court case. Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amadehe cannot sentence Kumi for contempt.
Kumi broke a court order that banned him from taking his oath as a Member of Parliament. The Koforidua High Court told him to wait until an election dispute finished. He ignored the order and took his parliamentary oath anyway. The High Court found him guilty of contempt on February 19, 2025. Police issued an arrest warrant when he failed to show up for sentencing.
Kumi's lawyer Gary Nimako-Marfo argued the High Court had no authority over the case. He said election challenges must be filed within 21 days after results appear in the official gazette. The petition was filed on December 31, 2024, but results were not published until June 6, 2025. This timing problem made the whole case invalid from the start. The Supreme Court agreed with this argument.
Kumi broke a court order that banned him from taking his oath as a Member of Parliament. The Koforidua High Court told him to wait until an election dispute finished. He ignored the order and took his parliamentary oath anyway. The High Court found him guilty of contempt on February 19, 2025. Police issued an arrest warrant when he failed to show up for sentencing.
Kumi's lawyer Gary Nimako-Marfo argued the High Court had no authority over the case. He said election challenges must be filed within 21 days after results appear in the official gazette. The petition was filed on December 31, 2024, but results were not published until June 6, 2025. This timing problem made the whole case invalid from the start. The Supreme Court agreed with this argument.
