The Supreme Court has ruled that it will hear the case of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the embattled Member of Parliament for Akwatia, despite his contempt conviction by the Koforidua High Court.
The apex court had earlier asked lawyers involved in the case to address the legal implications of granting a hearing to a contemnor who had yet to purge himself.
By law, a contemnor is generally not entitled to a hearing unless they have purged themselves of the contempt, although exceptions exist.
In a 4-1 majority decision on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that Mr. Kumi falls within those exceptions and should, therefore, be heard.
Justice Gabriel Pwamang dissented, while Justices Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Ernest Gaewu, Henry Anthony Kwofie, and Richard Adjei-Frimpong ruled in favor of hearing the case.
In February 2025, the Koforidua High Court found Mr. Kumi guilty of contempt for disregarding an injunction and proceeding with his swearing-in as MP.
He is challenging the ruling at the Supreme Court but first had to convince the court that he deserved to be heard despite the contempt conviction.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the case will now proceed as Mr. Kumi seeks to quash the contempt conviction against him.
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