Bagbin Rejects Supreme Court Writ on Vacant Seats
Parliament Upholds Constitutional Protections Amid Rising Tensions and Legal Controversy
- Bagbin claims the writ was improperly served
- The Court has halted Bagbin's ruling on vacant seats
- Ongoing disputes within Parliament have escalated
Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has formally dismissed a Supreme Court writ concerning the interpretation of Article 97(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The Deputy Clerk of Parliament revealed that the writ, served by three bailiffs on September 16, 2024, was improperly executed, violating Article 117, which protects MPs from court processes during official duties.
Bagbin stressed that the bailiffs’ actions contravened a circular from the Judicial Secretary aimed at safeguarding parliamentary members from legal actions while performing their roles.
Parliamentary leadership expressed deep concern over this issue, asserting that it undermines the independence of Parliament and reaffirms their commitment to upholding constitutional safeguards.
On October 18, the Supreme Court issued a stay on Bagbin’s earlier ruling that four parliamentary seats were vacant, allowing the affected MPs to continue representing their constituencies.
The stay remains in effect until a final decision is made by the Court, following an appeal from Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin.
