Professor Michael Kpessah Whyte, a lecturer at the University of Ghana, was found guilty based on his own admission and is currently waiting for sentencing on the contempt charges brought against him.
The former candidate for Shai Osudoku’s seat in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Supreme Court came before a five-member panel 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 charged with 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.
After hearing the defense lawyers for Professor Kpessah Whyte’s ameliorating prayer, the bench is now debating what punishment to impose.
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.
Dr. 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 excess court was so disparaged by Dr. Kpessa-Whyte that the Supreme Court summoned him to give a defense as to why he shouldn’t be found in contempt.
He later apologized for reportedly disparaging the Supreme Court.
Dr. Kpessa-Whyte stated in a statement that he had no intention of disparaging the Supreme Court and extended a full apology.
He lamented 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 allow me to state unequivocally that I have no reason to disparage our Supreme Court, and I hereby sincerely apologize unreservedly for any pain and discomfort my tweets may have caused the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court, and the entire judiciary,” he said, I hereby delete the offending tweet in its entirety and ask for pardon.
