Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has rejected writs served on Parliament regarding the seat vacancy controversy, instructing that the documents be returned to the Supreme Court.
The writs, which aimed to invoke the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction, were delivered to the Legal Services Office of the Parliamentary Service by three bailiffs on October 16, 2024.
However, in a statement dated October 18, 2024, Speaker Bagbin noted that the attempted service on October 15 contravened Article 117 of the 1992 Constitution and a prior circular issued by Judicial Secretary Justice Cyra Pamela C.A. Korangteng.
This circular, dated July 12, 2024, clarified the enforcement of Articles 117 and 118, which outline immunity from service of process and arrest for members of Parliament.
In light of these legal provisions, the Speaker has directed that the attached processes be returned for further action.
The statement was signed by Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Deputy Clerk.
SC Orders obviously only an exercise in futility.
Brutum fulmen
NDC remains Majority in @GhanaParliament
Thanks to @askbagbin for standing your ground. pic.twitter.com/FesNHaml56
— Francis-Xavier Sosu (@fx_sosu) October 28, 2024