Akwatia MP’s refusal to resign will make a mockery of court proceedings – Kpebu

Private Legal Practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has urged Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, to resign from his position to avoid further embarrassment of the court following his conviction for contempt of court. Kpebu believes that Mr. Kumi’s deliberate disregard for a court order and subsequent actions have brought the authority of the judiciary into disrepute, which could result in a severe sentence.

According to Kpebu, the Koforidua High Court issued an arrest warrant for the MP for contempt of court after he willfully disobeyed an interim injunction prohibiting him from presenting himself to be sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Akwatia. Despite the court order, Mr. Kumi proceeded to be sworn in and has continued to hold himself out as an MP.

In a scathing critique, Kpebu stressed that Mr. Kumi’s conduct was a flagrant disregard for the court and might result in a severe verdict. He advised the MP to resign immediately to avoid further legal consequences and public embarrassment.

“It will make a mockery of the proceedings. So, unless something else happens behind the scenes. He really has to resign if he wants to avoid the situation of continuing to embarrass the court,” Kpebu stated.

Meanwhile, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has described the court’s directive as unfair and unsatisfactory, adding that leadership is yet to obtain a copy of the court ruling and its accompanying orders before an official stance is taken on the matter.

The controversy surrounding Mr. Kumi’s actions began when he willfully disobeyed an interim injunction prohibiting him from presenting himself to be sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Akwatia. Despite the court order, Mr. Kumi proceeded to be sworn in and has continued to hold himself out as an MP. The court, after establishing that Mr. Kumi had flouted its orders, issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his absence during sentencing.