Supreme Court Overturns Arrest Warrant Against US-Based Blogger Kevin Taylor

In a 4-1 majority ruling, Ghana’s Supreme Court has set aside a bench warrant issued in 2020 for the arrest of US-based Ghanaian journalist and blogger Kevin Ekow Taylor. The warrant, issued by Justice Eric Kyei-Baffour (then sitting as a High Court judge), accused Taylor of scandalizing the court and inciting public hatred against the judiciary.

However, the apex court found that the arrest order violated principles of natural justice, as Taylor was not given a fair hearing before the warrant was issued. The decision marks a significant moment in the intersection of free speech, judicial authority, and due process in Ghana.

Key Arguments in Taylor’s Challenge

1. No Prior Notice or Hearing

   • Taylor’s legal team argued that the court issued the arrest warrant without summoning him or allowing him to respond to the allegations—a breach of his right to a fair hearing under Ghana’s Constitution.

2. Name Discrepancy in Warrant

   • The arrest warrant listed the accused as “Kelvin Taylor”, while his legal name is Kevin Ekow Taylor. His lawyers contended that this error cast doubt on whether the order was truly meant for him.

3. No Access to Alleged Offensive Material

   • Taylor claimed he was never formally served with the video in question, making it impossible for him to verify its authenticity, context, or possible manipulation (such as AI-generated edits).

4. No Legal Basis for Arrest Without Due Process

   • His legal team maintained that Ghanaian law does not permit imprisonment or arrest for contempt without first giving the accused a chance to defend themselves.

Background of the Case

The controversy arose from Taylor’s alleged comments about Justice Kyei-Baffour during coverage of a high-profile corruption case involving former officials of the National Communications Authority (NCA).

In the disputed video, Taylor reportedly accused the judge of bias in favor of the then 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 undermine public confidence in the judiciary and subsequently issued the arrest warrant.

However, Taylor—who is based in the United States and hosts the political talk show “With All Due Respect” on Loud Silence Media—has never been apprehended due to his location.

While the warrant has been nullified, the broader legal and political tensions surrounding media criticism of the judiciary remain unresolved. The case may also prompt calls for clearer guidelines on contempt proceedings to prevent future disputes.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com