Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has filed a writ at the Accra High Court against the Speaker, Alban Bagbin.
In this writ, Dafeamekpor is seeking a court order to clarify the status of four legislative seats he claims are currently vacant.
The MP asserts that the Speaker must officially declare that these four legislators have relinquished their seats to run as independent candidates in the upcoming elections.
Furthermore, he contends that any parliamentary sessions involving these members after October 17 would be deemed unlawful and invalid.
Dafeamekpor supports his position by referencing Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution, which he believes underpins the legality of the Speaker’s actions concerning the seats in question.
The MP, therefore, asserted his claim that “an order should be directed at the Defendant to ensure that Mr Andrew Amoako Asiamah, Member of Parliament for Fomena; Mrs Cynthia Mamle Morrison, Member of Parliament for Agona West; Mr Kwadwo Asante, Member of Parliament for Sohum; and Mr Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, no longer have access to the chamber of Parliament to participate in parliamentary proceedings.”
This situation has ignited a lively debate within Ghana’s judicial community, with opinions split regarding the Speaker’s declaration. Supporters argue that the Speaker acted within legal parameters, while critics contend that he failed to follow the established rules governing parliamentary procedures.
In the meantime, Parliament has remained inactive since the Supreme Court raised objections to the declaration of the vacant seats, further complicating the legislative process.
Below is the full writ.