Court convicts Akwatia MP of contempt

A Koforidua High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the disputed Akwatia parliamentary candidate in the Eastern Region, after he was convicted of contempt of court.

The bench warrant was issued after Kumi failed to appear in court despite being ordered to do so. The conviction stems from his defiance of an interim injunction issued on January 7, which barred him from being sworn in as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Akwatia constituency amid an ongoing legal dispute over his election.

Despite the injunction, Kumi attended Parliament on January 7, 2025, to be sworn in.

Judge Justice Senyo Amedahe noted that throughout the contempt proceedings, Kumi had not attended court in person. He also dismissed a letter from the minority caucus of Parliament, which claimed that Kumi had been absent due to parliamentary duties, stating that accepting such an excuse would contradict his earlier ruling.

Akwatia MP Ernest Kumi (in white apparel) leaving chamber of Parliamet after conviction 

Convicted Akwatia MP quietly exits  Parliament after entering chamber

Ernest Yaw Kumi, the MP for Akwatia, entered Parliament on Wednesday, February 19, shortly after a Koforidua High Court issued a bench warrant for his arrest due to his conviction for contempt of court. However, within minutes of arriving, he was seen quietly packing his belongings and leaving the chamber during an ongoing session.

As he made his exit, Kumi had a brief confrontation with Kwaku Asante when approached for comment, responding angrily.

The bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest followed his failure to appear in court. His conviction stems from his defiance of an interim injunction issued on January 7, which barred him from being sworn in as the Member of Parliament-elect for Akwatia due to a legal dispute over his election.

Kumi had attempted to present himself for swearing-in on January 7, 2025, despite the injunction. Justice Senyo Amedahe, who presided over the contempt case, noted that Kumi had failed to appear in court for the proceedings, and dismissed a letter from the minority caucus of Parliament, which claimed his absence was due to parliamentary duties. The judge made it clear that accepting such a letter would be contrary to his own ruling.