Supreme Court Was Wrong To Get Involved In Afenyo Markin And Speaker Bagbin’s Case – Justice Atuguba

The Supreme Court of Ghana, on Friday, October 18, issued a directive allowing four Members of Parliament (MPs) whose seats had been declared vacant by Speaker Alban Bagbin to continue serving until a final ruling is made. This follows a petition filed by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Majority Leader and MP for Effutu, challenging the Speaker’s decision to vacate the seats of the MPs in question.

The MPs affected by the Speaker’s ruling include Cynthia Morrison, MP for Agona West in the Central Region, and Kwadwo Asante, MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region, both of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who have filed to run as independent candidates. Andrew Asiamah Amoako, MP for Fomena in the Ashanti Region, previously an independent MP, has filed to contest in the upcoming election under the NPP’s banner. Peter Kwakye Ackah, MP for Amenfi Central in the Western Region and a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is also among the affected MPs.

The Speaker’s action was triggered by a petition from former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, who invoked Article 97(1)(g) of the Constitution. This provision requires a Member of Parliament to vacate their seat if they resign from the party on whose ticket they were elected or decide to contest as an independent candidate.

In response to the Speaker’s ruling, Afenyo-Markin filed a suit with the Supreme Court, seeking a stay of execution. On October 18, the Court ruled that Parliament must recognise the MPs’ status and allow them to continue their duties until the case is fully resolved.

Despite the Court’s ruling, members of the NDC parliamentary caucus have expressed their intention to adhere to the Speaker’s decision, declaring the four seats vacant. This stance, if followed, would potentially shift the balance of power in Parliament, giving the NDC the majority.

However, former Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba has criticised the Supreme Court’s handling of the case, asserting that its jurisdiction was wrongly invoked. As the legal battle unfolds, the final decision on the status of these MPs remains to be determined, leaving Parliament and its composition in a state of uncertainty.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com