The lawyer for US-based Ghanaian broadcaster Kevin Taylor has criticised the 2020 arrest warrant issued against his client by the High Court, describing it as a violation of due process.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Peter Okudzeto argued that Justice Kyei Baffour, who issued the warrant, erred by not affording Taylor the opportunity to respond before the ruling.
“It has been our contention that the judge erred. In the Montie 3 case and Sir John’s contempt during the election petition, for instance, the Supreme Court did not issue arrest warrants. They were given the chance to appear and explain themselves in court. That was not the case for Kevin Taylor,” he said.
Mr. Okudzeto insisted that the judge failed to uphold the principle of natural justice.
“We are saying the judge breached his right to be heard. He [Justice Baffour] even stated that the video was ‘purported’ to have come from Kevin Taylor. So he wasn’t certain. That’s all the more reason he should have invited him,” he added.
His comments follow the Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to revoke the arrest warrant in a 4:1 majority ruling after five years.
The panel was chaired by Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu, with Justices Senyo Dzamefe, Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh, and Philip Bright Mensah concurring. Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu dissented.
The ruling has reignited public debate about the tension between judicial authority and constitutional rights to fair hearing and due process.
The warrant stemmed from a Facebook video in which Kevin Taylor criticised Justice Kyei Baffour’s handling of a high-profile trial involving the alleged embezzlement of over $4 million from the National Communications Authority (NCA).
Source: Gertrude Otchere
ALSO READ:
