For allowing the House to pass the anti-LGBTQ+ bill despite outstanding legal actions, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has been cited for contempt at the Supreme Court.
According to researcher Dr. Amanda Odoi, the Speaker has disrespected and derided the justice system.
“The respondent has continually violated and shown utter disregard for the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the court process.
“That the respondent’s clear, intentional and continuous disregard of the court process necessitates the Respondent being sanctioned for contempt in the public interest and to protect the dignity of the Court,” the Court documents are quoted to state by MyJoyOnline.com.
Dr. Odoi is one of two citizens who have filed lawsuits against the Attorney General and Speaker of Parliament over the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
According to her research, the Speaker has been served with all pertinent legal documents, including one seeking the judge to impose an injunction prohibiting Parliament from considering the measure.
Despite this, she claimed, the Speaker moved the bill through to the second reading in Parliament this week.
“That by his conduct in directing or causing Parliament to proceed to a Second Reading of the Bill, in full knowledge of the pending suit and related interlocutory injunction application, the Respondent has disregarded and disrespected the authority of this Court.
“That such disregard interferes with the outcome of the pending litigation, brings the administration of justice into disrepute and undermines public confidence in the judicial system.”
She, therefore, believes an imposition of sanctions will preserve the court’s dignity.