REPUBLIC
V.
DISTRICT COURT GRADE I, DUNKWA-ON-OFFIN; EX PARTE OWUSU
KPEGAH J.: This application raises the issue whether an inferior court can commit a person for contempt committed ex facie curiae. The applicant was alleged to have violated an order embodied in a judgment of the district court in a land case which was before the said court. The adversary of the applicant then brought a motion in the district court seeking to have the applicant committed for contempt of the district court in not obeying its express orders. The magistrate demonstrated a determination to proceed with his investigations into the allegations of contempt. The applicant, therefore, brought an application for an order of prohibition against the said court on grounds of lack of jurisdiction. Mr Asiam who appears for the interested party, that is the applicant before the district court in the contempt proceedings, honourably conceded the point. There was no appearance for the magistrate by the Attorney-General. Although the point was conceded, I decided to give a ruling since …