By Valentia Tetteh
The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has justified the attempted arrest of the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, stating that it was in compliance with a bench warrant issued by the Koforidua High Court.
According to the Minister, the High Court issued the warrant on February 19, 2025, after convicting the MP for contempt. This followed his participation in the swearing-in of new MPs despite an injunction application against him.
Responding to questions from the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Muntaka clarified that officers of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) were only executing the court’s order.
“The Koforidua High Court on February 19 issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Ernest Yaw Kumi. The warrant was served through the National Security Coordinator to the NIB’s Eastern Regional Office. The attempted arrest was, therefore, in line with the High Court’s directive for his committal for contempt,” the Minister explained.
He further stated “Mr. Speaker, I clearly recall that while we were in this chamber, the Clerk reminded us during the swearing-in ceremony that, and I quote, ‘If there is any legal service against you, and you proceed to take the oath, you must be prepared to face the consequences.’ And, Mr. Speaker, we all affirmed this statement and we took the oath.”
The arrest attempt on March 7 was met with resistance from supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Akwatia, leading to heightened tensions in the Eastern Region.
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