President of the Professionals Forum of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sam Pee Yalley, has asserted that the Minority in Parliament cannot shield Akwatia Member of Parliament (MP), Ernest Yaw Kumi, from legal consequences.

This follows the controversy surrounding his swearing-in despite an injunction.

Mr. Kumi had an injunction placed on him, barring him from being sworn in as an MP. However, he proceeded to Parliament on January 7 and took his oath. In response, the court convicted him of contempt and has since issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

• Read also: High Court issues bench warrant for disputed Akwatia MP following contempt conviction

In an interview on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, February 22, Mr Yalley questioned the processes that led to Kumi’s swearing-in and criticised the advice given to him by Minority leaders.

He also recounted the events in Parliament when the Clerk warned Mr Kumi about the existing injunction.

"I was in Parliament that day. The Clerk of Parliament clearly told Ernest Kumi that there was an injunction against him. I saw Kumi trying to organise himself to leave, but the Minority Leader intervened, saying, ‘Let the man be sworn in, and he will face the consequences.’ I thought that was poor advice, especially coming from a lawyer,”' Mr Yalley stated.

He emphasised that parliamentary status does not offer immunity from legal accountability.

“Kumi cannot be protected just because he’s in Parliament. Politics teaches you that while you may stand among a crowd, you go home alone, and if the police want to pick you up, they will,” he said.