After taking into account Professor Michael Kpessah-Whyte’s apologies and his attorney’s mitigating prayer, the Supreme Court issued a warning and released him.

Following his own admission of guilt and the court panel’s consideration of the best punishment to impose on him, he was found guilty.

When reading the court’s ruling on the contempt charges, Justice Mariama Owusu stated that although the bench found the defendant’s comment to be troubling, the court’s decision was also influenced by the defendant’s apology and subsequent actions.

On Tuesday, May 30, the University of Ghana lecturer was found guilty based on his own admission. The former candidate for Shai Osudoku’s seat in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), came before a five-member panel in the Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Mariama Owusu and entered a plea of guilty to the allegations.

Following a tweet that the court deemed offensive, Prof. Kpessah-Whyte was accused of contempt. The defendant begged the court to temper justice with kindness because he had already apologized for his comment, under the leadership of Justice Srem-Sai and Godwin Tamakloe.

However, after hearing the defense attorneys for Professor Kpessah Whyte’s mitigating prayer, the bench is now debating what punishment to impose.

Additionally, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a candidate for the position of Chief Justice, backed the Supreme Court’s decision to call those who insult or defame the court’s reputation for contempt.

The Supreme Court Justice stated while appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, that summoning people for contempt is a measure to maintain the honor and prestige of the Ghanaian courts.

“The issuing of contempt summons has always been a tool that has been used by courts to ensure that the dignity of the court is not scandalized. The [Supreme] Court is one out of 400 courts, and it is the ultimate voice, so whenever the court acts, whether it is the High Court, Court of Appeal, or Supreme Court, it is to ensure that the Justice system is not scandalized.”
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo

Kpessa-Whyte’s Troubling Twitter Post

Recently, Prof. Kpessa-Whyte referred to the Supreme Court as a “Stupid Court” in a tweet. Additionally, he lambasted Ghana’s judiciary, charging it with bias and a lack of common sense.

Prof. Kpessa-Whyte’s tweets were sent out immediately after the Supreme Court mandated that the name of NDC MP, James Gyakye Quayson be deleted from Parliament’s records, as a result of irregularities in his candidacy and election in 2020.

The nation’s top court was so disparaged by Dr. Kpessa-Whyte that the Supreme Court summoned him to give a defense as to why he should not be found in contempt. However, he later apologized for reportedly disparaging the Supreme Court.

The University of Ghana Lectuerer averred in a statement that he had no intention of disparaging the Supreme Court and extended a full apology. He regretted any hurt or discomfort his tweets may have caused the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court, and the whole judiciary and claimed he had no justification for disparaging the court.

“Please permit me to state unequivocally that I have no reason to slander our Supreme Court, and I hereby sincerely apologise unreservedly for any pain and discomfort my tweets may have caused the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court, and the entire judiciary. I hereby retract the tweet in question; accordingly, the tweet has been deleted completely, and I pray for forgiveness.”
Kpessa-Whyte