NPP appeals Ernest Kumi's conviction, seeks stay of execution
The New Patriotic Party has filed a notice of appeal against the conviction of Ernest Kumi, Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia by the Koforidua High Court.
The party has also filed a stay of execution pending appeal.
This follows the High Court in Koforidua convicting the Akwatia MP for contempt of court. The ruling came after he defied an interim injunction barring him from being sworn in as a legislator.
Presiding Judge, Justice Senyo Amedahe, also issued a bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest after he failed to appear before the court for sentencing.
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 seeks to halt the execution of Kumi’s sentence while the case undergoes further legal scrutiny.
According to Shaib, all relevant parties to the certiorari and prohibition application, including His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe, who presided over the initial ruling, have been duly served with the legal documents.
