No Legal Basis for Bagbin’s Suspension of MPs – Vincent Assafuah Slams Action
Assafuah questions Speaker's authority, urging adherence to due process in disciplinary measures
- Assafuah argues Speaker Bagbin’s suspension of MPs lacks legal or constitutional grounding
- Criticism focuses on Speaker overstepping authority by acting as judge, complainant, and decision-maker
- Calls for due process, despite disapproval of MPs' behavior during the vetting session
Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, has condemned the suspension of four MPs by Speaker Alban Bagbin, asserting that there is no legal or constitutional foundation for such a move.
The suspension, which followed chaotic scenes at a vetting session on January 30, 2025, has stirred debate, with the Minority accusing the Speaker of overstepping his authority and undermining democracy.
The suspended MPs include Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Minority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib, all of whom were involved in a heated clash during an Appointments Committee sitting. S
peaker Bagbin justified the suspension as necessary to maintain order.
However, Assafuah, speaking in an interview, he argued that the Speaker’s actions were not backed by any legal provisions, noting that the Standing Orders of Parliament outline specific periods for suspension—ranging from four to twelve days—and do not mention two-week suspensions.
He emphasized that the Speaker’s unilateral decision went beyond his authority and violated the principles of due process.
While Assafuah disapproved of the MPs’ behavior during the vetting session, he stressed the importance of following proper procedures, stating that without it, the suspension loses its legitimacy.
