Supreme Court overturns contempt conviction against Akwatia MP

The Supreme Court has quashed a contempt conviction handed down by the Koforidua High Court against Ernest Kumi, Member of Parliament for Akwatia, on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The apex court, in addition to overturning the conviction, also restrained Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe from proceeding to sentence the legislator.

The ruling follows a judicial review application filed by Mr. Kumi, who challenged the legality of the High Court’s decisions.

Mr. Kumi’s legal team, led by Gary Nimako-Marfo, who also serves as the NPP’s Director of Legal Affairs, argued that the High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the election petition that resulted in an injunction and the subsequent contempt proceedings.

According to Nimako-Marfo, Ghana’s electoral laws stipulate that an election petition must be filed within 21 days after the publication of certified results in the official gazette.

He noted that although the petition was filed on December 31, 2024, the official gazetting of the election results only occurred on June 6, 2025, well outside the statutory window.

He contended that “because the court’s jurisdiction was improperly invoked, all subsequent rulings, including the injunction and contempt conviction, were invalid.”

Nimako-Marfo further criticised the High Court for proceeding to convict the MP of contempt without affording him a hearing. “It was a breach of natural justice,” he told the court.

Meanwhile, counsel for the NDC’s parliamentary candidate, Henry Boakye Yiadom, opposed the application, arguing that the High Court acted within its legal authority and that both the injunction and contempt ruling were valid.

The Supreme Court’s ruling now clears the way for Mr. Kumi to continue his parliamentary duties without the cloud of legal sanctions hanging over him.

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