Despite being found guilty of contempt by the Koforidua High Court, the Supreme Court has decided to hear the case of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the beleaguered Member of Parliament for Akwatia.
Lawyers involved in the case were previously instructed by the supreme court to discuss the legal ramifications of giving a hearing to a contemnor who has not yet purged himself.
Although there are few exceptions, a contemnor is often not entitled to a hearing under the law unless they have absolved themselves of the contempt.
The Supreme Court decided Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in a 4-1 majority ruling that Mr. Kumi should be heard since he is covered by those exceptions.
While Supreme Court justices Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Ernest Gaewu, Henry Anthony Kwofie, and Richard Adjei-Frimpong decided to hear the matter, Justice Gabriel Pwamang dissented.
The Koforidua High Court convicted Mr. Kumi of contempt in February 2025 for disobeying an order and going on with his swearing-in as an MP.
He had to persuade the court that he should be given a hearing even though he was found guilty of contempt before he could appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
The court’s ruling implies that Mr. Kumi’s motion to have the contempt conviction against him overturned will now be heard.
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