JUDGEMENT
Sampson J.
On 16 November 1999 the respondents herein were found guilty of contempt of court and were committed to a term of imprisonment each for three months without hard labour. The contemnors were further committed to a fine of ¢5 million or in default three months’ imprisonment without hard labour; the sentences were to run consecutively.
On that same day, Mr Johnny Francois, the incumbent chief executive of the Minerals Commission and representative of the commission, was granted bail in his own recognisance to appear in the court on 30 November 1999 to fulfil the order of the court dated 21 May 1999 by payment into court of an amount of ¢12, 925,475.29. On the adjourned date, 30 November as aforesaid, Mr Johnny Francois, the contemnor or the representative of the commission-contemnor or both was absent in court with an apology via a medical report dated 29 November 1999, signed by Dr Emmanuel Tsegah of the Holy Heights Clinic, Accra, granting excuse duty to him for three…