A lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof Michael Kpessa Whyte, has been convicted for the offence of contempt of court by the Supreme Court.
This was after the member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him.
This case bothered on a series of tweets made by Prof Whyte on May 19.
He wrote “The highest Court of the Land has been turned into ‘Stupid Court’.
“They have succeeded in turning a Supreme Court into a Stupid Court. Common – sense is now a scarce commodity.”
“A major element in the death of democracies is partisanship in the delivery of justice.
Our judges need lessons in political philosophy and ethics.
“Time will tell”
He was ordered to appear at the Apex Court to show cause why he should not be cited for contempt of Court for scandalising the Supreme Court, bringing into ridicule the dignity, respect, and stature of the Supreme Court and Inciting prejudice against the Supreme Court.
Prof Whyte on Tuesday, May 30, pleaded “not guilty with an explanation initially. Presiding Judge Justice Mariama Owusu asked him to state his plea clearly.
Prof Whyte “My lords. Respectfully. I plead not guilty. Guilty with explanation.”
Justice Owusu: “Your plea needs to be clear”
Prof Whyte: “Guilty my Lords.”
He was thus convicted on his own plea.
His legal team led by Dr. Justice Srem Sai then proceeded to beg the court for mercy.
He said Prof Whyte had since receiving the summons caused publications to be made apologising to the court.
“We pray for the mitigation of sentence. My lord, immediately the matter was brought to his attention, he did issue a clear unreserved apology which we have accordingly brought to the court’s registry, addressed to the acting Chief Justice.
He has taken steps to have the apology published on the front page of the Ghanaian Times an apology to the court.
“It is our humble prayer, in all humility, we plead for mercy. We are also undertaking that such a sad and regrettable occurrence will not ever again. We commit to defending the integrity of this honourable court,” Dr Sai stated.
The case was heard by Justices Mariama Owusu, Lovelace Johnson, Prof Henrietta Mensah Bonsu, Samuel Asiedu, and George Koomson.