On July 22, 2025, the Supreme Court of Ghana delivered a landmark ruling that effectively quashed a bench warrant issued over five years ago against Ghanaian-American social commentator, Kevin Ekow Baidoo Taylor. In a 4:1 majority decision, the apex court declared the warrant originally issued in January 2020 by then High Court judge Justice Eric Kyei Baffour unlawful and void.
The court’s decision marks the culmination of a long-running legal battle surrounding Taylor, who has been a vocal critic of public officials and institutions in Ghana through his digital media platform, Loud Silence Media. The 2020 bench warrant was issued during the trial of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, when Taylor was accused of contempt of court following his online commentary.
In its judgment, the Supreme Court held that the issuance of the warrant was procedurally flawed and infringed upon Taylor’s constitutional rights. The court emphasized the importance of due process, even in cases involving alleged contempt, and reaffirmed that freedom of expression must not be undermined by judicial overreach.
Legal analysts have described the ruling as a significant victory for civil liberties and press freedom in Ghana. It also sets a precedent regarding the limits of judicial power in contempt proceedings, particularly in relation to individuals residing outside the jurisdiction.
Speaking after the ruling, lawyers for Taylor praised the court for upholding the rule of law, while calling on stakeholders to use the decision as a catalyst for reforming contempt procedures in Ghana’s courts.
