General News
Supreme Court Quashes Arrest Warrant Against Kelvin Taylor in Landmark 4-1 Ruling
In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of Ghana has nullified an arrest warrant issued in 2020 against controversial social commentator Kelvin Taylor. The decision, delivered on Monday, July 22, was reached by a 4-1 majority.
The five-member panel was presided over by Justice Imoro Amadu Tanko, with Justices Senyo Dzamefe, Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh, and Philip Bright Mensah concurring. Justice Ernest Gaewu was the sole dissenter in the case.
Taylor, known for his fiery political commentary on his online show With All Due Respect, appeared elated after the verdict, leaving the courtroom in high spirits alongside his legal team.
The warrant in question was issued by the High Court in January 2020 following a contempt charge initiated by Justice Eric Kyei-Baffour. The judge accused Taylor of making “extremely scandalous” and contemptuous remarks, including allegations that his judicial promotion was politically motivated in connection to a case involving the National Communications Authority.
At the time, the High Court had directed the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to arrest Taylor, who resides outside the country, and present him before the court.
Taylor, who has maintained that his statements were based on factual information, challenged the warrant in the Supreme Court on July 2, 2025. His legal team argued that he was not given a fair chance to respond to the contempt charges before the warrant was issued.
Monday’s ruling suggests a judicial divide over how contempt charges should be handled, especially when the accused is not physically present within Ghana. The majority of justices appeared to agree that Taylor’s right to a fair hearing had been compromised.
While the detailed reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s decision is yet to be released, it is expected to offer new guidance on contempt proceedings and how they apply to individuals residing outside the country.
This judgment is likely to spark renewed national debate over the balance between judicial authority, freedom of expression, and the regulation of online political commentary. Taylor, who has faced other legal battles—including a GHS1 million defamation ruling in 2020—remains a divisive figure in Ghana’s media and political space.
Full details of Kelvin Taylor’s application to the Supreme Court follow below.