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A heated confrontation erupted in Parliament after the Majority Caucus rejected an attempt by Ernest Yaw Kumi, the embattled Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia, to present a statement on the floor.
On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, the Koforidua High Court convicted Kumi for contempt after he violated an interim injunction barring him from being sworn in as a legislator. The court subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest when he failed to appear for sentencing.
Despite this legal setback, Kumi has continued to attend parliamentary proceedings, raising tensions within the house.
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When Kumi attempted to deliver a statement, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga firmly opposed it, declaring that his caucus would boycott the session if the Speaker allowed the MP to speak.
“…This part of the house will wash our hands off and leave you to make your statement. Because we do not believe in undermining the judiciary or the rule of law, we will not join you in this illegality.”
Ayariga argued that permitting Kumi to continue his legislative duties while a court warrant for his arrest remains active undermines the judiciary and the rule of law.
However, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, MP for Manhyia South, countered that there was no official communication from the judiciary to Parliament regarding Kumi’s conviction.
“Mr. Speaker, the Registrar of the court has not formally notified you of any action against the Akwatia MP. So, on what basis are we denying him his legislative rights?”
He further accused Ayariga of overstepping his authority, arguing that the Majority Leader was not the court registrar and could not enforce a ruling that Parliament had not been officially informed of.
With the legal and parliamentary standoff unresolved, the controversy surrounding Kumi’s status continues to divide the house. The Speaker of Parliament is expected to consult legal experts on the matter, while political observers anticipate further clashes between the majority and the MP’s supporters.
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