Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has accused five Supreme Court judges of being in contempt of Parliament following a recent unanimous 5-0 ruling by the court.
The judges issued a stay of execution on Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling, effectively allowing ousted MPs to resume their official parliamentary duties..
This court’s decision follows a suit filed by leader of the NPP caucus in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markings on October 15 that sought to block the enforcement of the speaker’s ruling which meant his side was now the minority side in the house.
According to Ayariga, the actions of the judges undermine the authority of Parliament and violate constitutional protections.
“Well, I mean, we are all guided by the Constitution. And if you look at Article 115 of the Constitution, which deals with the freedom of speech and proceedings in the House, it says there shall be freedom of speech, debate, and proceedings in Parliament, and that freedom shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place outside of Parliament,”
Mahama Ayariga referenced Article 122 of the Constitution, which outlines what constitutes contempt of Parliament.
“An act or omission which obstructs or impedes Parliament in the performance of its functions, or which obstructs or impedes a member or officer of Parliament in the discharge of his duties, or affronts the dignity of Parliament, or which stands, either directly or indirectly, to produce that result, is contempt of Parliament,” he stated.
Those five Supreme Court judges are dearly in contempt of Parliament – Mahama Ayariga (MP Bawku central) pic.twitter.com/EDfrQpT92l
— Popo🇰🇼🇬🇭 (@Popony_J) October 18, 2024
