Former Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba has disclosed that Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, is bound by the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on 4 vacant seats in parliament.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court nullified the Speaker’s declaration that four parliamentary seats were vacant.
The Court ruled that the Speaker’s decision to declare the seats vacant was unconstitutional, thereby reinstating the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) majority in Parliament just before the December 7 election.
Discussing the implications, Mr. Atuguba stated that the Speaker is obligated to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling, cautioning that failure to do so could lead to contempt charges.
He highlighted that such contempt is a serious offense, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years without the option of a fine.
“There are processes at the Supreme Court…contempt is there…it is a high crime and when its prosecuted you have to suffer imprisonment up to 10 years…[host: that is if the court’s decision is not complied with?]…yes up to ten years. It is not necessarily 10 years. There is no option of a fine but you might just suffer some term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years. Not only that, a ten year disqualification from holding public office. If you’re a President you are liable to removal from office,” Atuguba expressed.