Majority Caucus prevents convicted Akwatia MP from making a statement in Parliament
Majority Caucus prevents convicted Akwatia MP from making a statement in Parliament
Majority Members of Parliament (MPs) on Friday, February 21, 2025, prevented convicted Akwatia lawmaker, Mr. Ernest Yaw Kumi from making a statement on the floor of Parliament.
The Majority Caucus insisted Mr. Kumi cannot sit in the chamber let alone make a statement because he has been convicted of contempt by a High Court.
The embattled MP for Akwatia, Mr. Kumi rose to make a statement on the floor of the House a day after he snaked out of the chamber but Majority Leader, Mr. Mahama Ayariga fiercely opposed the move.
According to Mr. Ayariga, the Akwatia lawmaker has been convicted for contempt by a Koforidua High Court, pending sentencing, and should not be allowed to make the statement.
The Majority Leader’s insistence caused heated exchanges between members of the two caucuses forcing proceedings of Parliament to end abruptly.
Due to the intensity of the exchanges, the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr. Andrew Asiamah Amoako who was in the chair presiding proceedings had no option but to adjourn sitting.
The High Court in Koforidua on February 19, 2025, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the Akwatia MP after convicting him of contempt of court.
The ruling stems from Kumi’s decision to continue holding himself out as an MP despite an interim injunction barring him from being sworn into office.
The court had earlier directed him to refrain from assuming a parliamentary role until a legal dispute was resolved, but he disobeyed the order and took the oath of office in Parliament.
Though Mr. Kumi is said to have appealed against the contempt of court conviction slapped on him by the High Court in Koforidua, the Majority Caucus led by its leader prevented him from making his statement.
