The Koforidua High Court’s conviction of Ernest Kumi, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia, has been appealed by the New Patriotic Party.
A stay of execution pending appeal has also been filed by the party.
This comes after the Akwatia MP was found guilty of contempt of court by the Koforidua High Court. He disregarded an interim injunction that prevented him from taking the oath of office as a lawmaker, which led to the decision.
After Kumi did not show up for sentence, the presiding judge, Justice Senyo Amedahe, also issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Citing overwhelming evidence of willful defiance, the court ruled that the lawmaker had acted in contempt.
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Thursday, February 20, Second Deputy Minority Whip and MP for Weija Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, announced that the legal steps have been initiated, aiming to overturn the High Court’s decision at the Court of Appeal.
“Legal steps have been taken, a notice of appeal has been filed against the ruling of the High Court at the Court of Appeal.
“An application for stay of execution pending appeal has also been filed at the High Court No 3 Koforidua,” stated Shaib.
This appeal aims to prevent Kumi’s punishment from being carried out while the matter is investigated further by the courts.
Shaib claims that the legal documents have been properly served to all pertinent persons involved in the certiorari and prohibition application, including His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe, who oversaw the first decision.
