The Supreme Court, in a 4-1 majority decision, has temporarily halted the sentencing of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, by the Koforidua High Court in a contempt case. This decision will remain in place until a final ruling is made on a motion challenging the High Court’s decision.
Justice Gabriel Pwamang dissented, while the remaining four justices agreed to the stay of execution. Kumi’s legal team contended that the High Court overstepped its jurisdiction in handling a parliamentary election petition concerning the Akwatia Constituency before the Electoral Commission had officially gazetted the election results.
Kumi also argued that the High Court had violated natural justice by proceeding with the contempt case despite his pending motion disputing the court’s jurisdiction.
Furthermore, he claimed bias on the part of the judge for refusing his lawyer an audience due to the lawyer not filing an official appearance in the case.
Kumi has called for the Supreme Court to declare the election petition filed by Henry Boakye-Yiadom on December 31, 2024, invalid because it lacked the required official Gazette Notification.
He also seeks to have the Supreme Court quash several rulings made by the Koforidua High Court, including its contempt ruling from February 19, 2025, and prior orders from January 2 and January 6, 2025, arguing that these rulings stemmed from a legally flawed petition.
