The High Court in Accra has imposed a of fine of 600 penalty units equivalent to GH¢7,200 on Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyire, Frank Annor Dompreh for contempt.
In court, Justice Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku described the conduct of Majority Chief Whip as “reprehensible” stating that such conduct ought not to be rewarded with just a caution, but “it is a conduct deserving of a custodial sentence.”
Justice Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku, who made this known while sentencing the legislator for contempt, however, said she would spare the legislator a custodial sentence.
The MP was cited for contempt after it was brought to the attention of the High Court (Land Court 1) that he disrupted Court Bailiff and Police Officers work when they were to carry out an execution work over disputed lands which the Nsawam Adoagyire law maker pleaded guilty to the offence.
The High Court subsequently imposed a sentence of a fine of 600 penalty units equivalent to GH¢7,200 for contempt.
“I take into consideration the status of the respondent as mentioned by his own lawyer. The respondent is not an ordinary citizen of the land who is not expected to know the law. Being a Member of Parliament and a Chief Whip for that matter, the respondent is expected to lead by example. The conduct of the respondent is indeed reprehensible and ought not to be rewarded by just a caution. Indeed, it is a conduct deserving of a custodial sentence, but the court would spare him a custodial sentence in light of the settlement he has reached with the applicant and the good faith he has shown after his reprehensible conduct”, Justice Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku ruled.
The court further ruled that, “in default of the fine, the respondent is to serve a custodial sentence of 30 days”.