This case revolves around a contempt of court application filed by Dr. Seth Awuku Manteaw, Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR) Institute for Scientific and Technological Information (INSTI), against 21 members of the CSIR Governing Council. Dr. Manteaw alleges that the Council members deliberately disregarded a pending injunction application he filed earlier, thereby obstructing the administration of justice. The injunction sought to prevent the CSIR from advertising or appointing a replacement for Dr. Manteaw as Director of INSTI until a separate lawsuit concerning his position was resolved.
The controversy began with Dr. Manteaw filing a writ of summons, a statement of claim, and an injunction application against the CSIR on March 28, 2024. He subsequently filed a supplementary affidavit in support of the injunction on May 21, 2024. Despite the pending injunction application, the CSIR Governing Council, during its 189th meeting on June 27, 2024, directed Dr. Manteaw to step aside as Director of CSIR-INSTI and appointed Dr. Paul Danquah, the Deputy Director, as Acting Director. This action, taken while the court was yet to rule on the injunction, forms the basis of Dr. Manteaw’s contempt application.
Dr. Manteaw argues that the Council’s decision to replace him despite the pending injunction demonstrates a deliberate attempt to undermine the court’s authority and prejudice the outcome of his case. He contends that their actions constitute contempt of court and warrant punishment, specifically requesting the court to commit the 21 Council members to prison. The CSIR, through its legal representation, filed an affidavit in opposition to the injunction application on May 6, 2024, but this filing predates the Council’s decision to replace Dr. Manteaw and thus does not directly address the contempt allegations.
The named respondents in the contempt application include prominent figures within the scientific and academic community in Ghana, including professors, doctors, and other high-ranking officials. This list includes Professor Paul P. Bosu, Prof. Robert Kingsford-Adaboh, Prof. Benjamin J.B. Nyarko, Prof. Paul Kingsley Buah-Bassuah, Prof. Daniel A. Ofori, Dr. Ignatius Awinibuno, Dr. M. Agyekum Addo, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, Mr. Wilson Attah Krofah, Kwabena Essilfie Quaison, and Dr. Solomon Gyan Ansah. The remaining respondents are Patrick Yaw Nimo, Dr. Winfred F.A. Nelson, Prof. Mohammed Salifu, Dr. Kofi Amponsah Benefo, Prof. Sampson K. Agodzo, Ahmed Dasana Nantogmah, Alhaji Dr. Mohammed Bin Ibrahim, Delali Nutsukpo, Prof. Ibok N. Oduro, and Andrews Adjei Yeboah.
The initial hearing for the contempt application took place virtually on August 14, 2024, presided over by Justice Richard Appietu. However, due to challenges in serving the contempt application to all the respondents, the hearing was adjourned to October 30, 2024. The difficulty in serving the respondents highlights a potential attempt to evade the legal process, leading the High Court to grant an order for substituted service. This order, issued sometime in late 2024, permitted the posting of the service documents on the Notice Board of the High Court Complex in Accra and the Notice Board of the CSIR for a period of 21 days, ensuring that the respondents were duly notified of the proceedings against them.
The court has subsequently ordered the parties to submit their written submissions within two weeks and scheduled a ruling on the matter for March 19, 2025. This ruling will determine whether the 21 members of the CSIR Governing Council are guilty of contempt of court for their actions in replacing Dr. Manteaw while his injunction application was pending. The case underscores the importance of respecting judicial processes and the potential consequences of disregarding court orders. The court’s decision will have significant implications for the individuals involved and could potentially set a precedent for future cases involving alleged contempt of court in similar circumstances. The outcome will be closely watched by the scientific community and legal professionals alike.
