By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
A Koforidua High Court has issued an arrest warrant for the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Akwatia constituency in the Eastern region, Mr. Ernest Yaw Kumi for contempt of court.
The court presided over by Justice Senyo Amedahe convicted the Akwatia lawmaker. The court which found him guilty has also issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his absence in court and subsequent sentencing.
The Koforidua High Court after the 2024 parliamentary election issued an interim injunction against Mr. Ernest Yaw Kumi prohibiting him from availing himself to be sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, an injunction which was disobeyed by Mr. Yaw Kumi.
All evidence available to the court proved that Mr. Yaw Kumi willfully disobeyed the orders of the presiding judge and the court and went ahead to be sworn in as MP.
The Judge, Justice Senyo Amedahe held that the convict, throughout the hearing of the contempt case, failed to appear in court in person.
The judge did not recognise a letter addressed to him by the Minority Caucus in Parliament indicating that Mr Ernest Yaw Kumi was attending to another important issue hence his absence.
Counsel for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Akwatia, Mr. Bernard Bediako told the media after proceeding that Ernest Kumi cannot continue to hold himself as an MP.
“A letter emanated from their caucus said that he (Ernest Kumi) could not attend Parliament because he was undertaking some serious business. Now the court said it would not even entertain that letter. If it did, it would amount to an inconsistency on its part because it has ruled that the gentleman cannot hold himself as a Member of Parliament,” the 2024 NDC’s Parliamentary Candidate for Akwatia retorted.
