After the 2024 December elections, some Parliamentary results were contended following reported anomalies in proceedings.
Some of the Parliamentary Candidates resorted to court actions and the Parliamentary seat for Akwatia in the Eastern Region, was no different.
A case was submitted by the opposition to court, contending the authenticity of the declared results, thus, the court had issued a directive that the declared winner of the seat, Ernest Yaw Kumi should not be sworn-in as the MP for Akwatia, since the results were being contended in court.
On January 6, 2025, the court placed an interim injunction on Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament Elect for Akwatia Constituency, prohibiting him from holding himself up as the MP for the Akwatia Constituency.
However, the MP elect, disobeyed the court order and presented himself to Parliament to be sworn-in as the Member of Parliament for the Akwatia Constituency.
Following his action, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), represented by Counsel Bernard Bediako Baidoo, filed a contempt application in court.
The court heard the case on February 19, 2025, and the presiding judge, His Lordship Senyo Amedehe, held that the MP Ernest Yaw Kumi, had disobeyed the court’s orders by not adhering to the interim injunction placed on him, and had presented himself in Parliament to be sworn-in as the Member of Parliament for the area.
He added that the minority caucus had submitted a letter stating that the MP could not be present in court because he had some parliamentary duties to perform.
His Lordship Amedehe, however, held that it was not the minority caucus that could make that claim, stating that if anyone should make that claim, it should be the Speaker of Parliament or the Clerk of Parliament. He therefore did not admit that letter and ruled that although Mr. Ernest Yaw Kumi was not in court, he has been convicted.
In light of the disregard by the NPP’s representative, the presiding judge on the case has issued a bench warrant for his arrest. When the MP is arrested and arraigned before the court, the two sentences will be pronounced against him.
Meanwhile, some supporters of the NPP are frustrated and shocked with the ruling.
Source: Dehotpress
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