Kevin Taylor Challenges Bench Warrant in High Court Over Alleged Contempt

Social media commentator and political analyst Kevin Ekow Taylor has filed an application for certiorari at the Accra High Court, seeking to nullify a 2020 bench warrant issued for his arrest over a Facebook video deemed contemptuous by the judiciary.

The warrant was issued by Justice Eric Kyei-Baffour, a Court of Appeal judge sitting as a High Court judge, who accused Taylor of scandalizing the court and inciting public hatred against the judiciary. However, Taylor argues that the court’s action violated principles of natural justice, as he was not given a fair hearing before the arrest order was issued.

Key Arguments in Taylor’s Application

In his legal filing, Taylor raises several critical objections:

1. Lack of Prior Notice or Hearing – He contends that the court issued the warrant without summoning him or allowing him to respond to the allegations, breaching his constitutional right to due process.

2. Discrepancy in Name Spelling – The arrest warrant names “Kelvin Taylor,” while his legal name is Kevin Ekow Taylor. His legal team argues that the inconsistency raises doubts about whether the order was genuinely intended for him.

3. No Access to Alleged Contemptuous Material – Taylor claims he was never served with the video in question, preventing him from verifying its authenticity, context, or whether it was manipulated (e.g., AI-generated or edited).

4. No Legal Basis for Arrest Without Hearing – He maintains that Ghanaian law does not permit the deprivation of liberty without first granting the accused an opportunity to defend themselves.

Background of the Case

The controversy stems from Taylor’s alleged comments about Justice Kyei-Baffour during a high-profile corruption trial involving former officials of the National Communications Authority (NCA). In the disputed video, Taylor reportedly accused the judge of bias in favor of the Akufo-Addo government, a claim the court deemed scandalous and damaging to judicial integrity.

Justice Kyei-Baffour described Taylor’s remarks as an attempt to erode public trust in the judiciary and subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest. However, Taylor, who resides in the U.S. and hosts the political talk show With All Due Respect on Loud Silence Media, has not been apprehended due to his location.

Implications of the Case

This legal battle raises significant questions about:

• Judicial procedures – Whether courts can issue arrest warrants for contempt without first notifying the accused.

• Freedom of expression – The fine line between criticism of public officials and contempt of court.

• Extraterritorial enforcement – The practicality of executing a bench warrant against someone residing outside Ghana.

Next Steps

The High Court is expected to review Taylor’s application, which could set a precedent for how contempt cases involving media personalities are handled in the future. If the court rules in his favor, the bench warrant may be quashed, reinforcing the necessity of due process in contempt proceedings.

Meanwhile, Taylor’s supporters view the case as a test of judicial fairness, while critics argue that his commentary crossed the line into unlawful contempt. The outcome will likely fuel further debate on media freedom, judicial accountability, and the rights of critics in Ghana’s democratic space.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com