It Is Easy To Jail Ken Agyapong On Contempt Charges…Amb. Haruna Atta

Ghana’s former High Commission for Namibia with accreditation to Botswana, Amb Abdul Rahman Haruna Attah, has observed the High Court has good judicial precedent to guide it to jail the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Ken Agyapong, for contempt.

In a write-up, the veteran journalist pointed out that there are many decided contempt cases within the Judicial memory which are exemplary, adding that the recent most topical involving the so-called ‘Montie 3’ lends itself to reference for the court.

“Almost four years ago, to the day, another case, a carbon-copy of the one being heard today, was enacted in the chambers of the highest court. As precedents go, the court hearing today’s contempt case would not have far to go. The so-called Montie 3 docket, judgment and sentencing are there to guide the court,” the former diplomat wrote.

He pointed out that just like Kennedy Agyapong has apologized for calling judges “stupid” on-air, Muntie 3 had similarly apologized for threatening judges but were still jailed.

“The politician has since apologized, so did the Montie 3, which was not enough to tamper justice with mercy.”

Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central has been cited by the Accra High Court (Land Court 12) for saying a trial judge in a land case involving him was “stupid” among other expletives.

Mr. Agyapong, prejudicially commenting on a land case in which he had been sued, took the trial judge to the cleaners on his Net 2 TV station for the judge’s grant of an interlocutory injunction against him.

Susan Bandoh and Christopher Akuetteh Kotei who had sued the Assin Central MP, one Ibrahim Jaja, Nana Yaw Duodu aka Sledge and the Inspector General of Police had secured the injunction against the MP.

In reaction, a vintage Ken Agyapong exploded, insulting the trial judge in shocking language that has been said to be totally unbecoming of a lawmaker.

“Listen to the reason why I am angry. The lawyer wrote the thing on August 5, and the judge scheduled appearance on August 13. I didn’t get anything from them; then on September 1, you granted an injunction on the property. You are a stupid judge; I will face you. You are a stupid judge,” he fumed.

“You think I fear someone? I am not like Anas who will take a bribe from you. I will deal with you…nobody served me anything. I didn’t know what was going on. Then all of a sudden you say I should not go to the land. You are an animal of a judge.”

 The court took notice and cited him for contempt. The MP has since written an apology to the Chief Justice, however, the public has been demanding for his neck

Amb. Haruna Attah points out in his writing that the angry public, including judges and law dons, who are demanding that Ken Agyapong be made to face Justice, do not include some very vociferous ones who chanted for a pound of flesh when Safifu Maase, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn, were similarly cited for contempt for verbally attacking judges on Montie FM.

“Even an institution like the Catholic Church, which trades in mercy and such holy things, jumped into the fray and backed the court to insist on its pound of flesh. God is not an entity to be used in partisan politics, so today He is looking on from on high to hear what His representatives on earth are saying on this one… where are their voices today? Where are their cries of self-righteous indignation? Has Nana Akufo-Addo got such a hold on their consciences?” Amb. Haruna Attah wrote.

Meanwhile, it has been alleged that President Akufo-Addo has directed Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah to ensure that Ken Agyapong, a bankroller of the NPP is not jailed.