The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has taken a decisive step against the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, citing him for contempt of Parliament and immediately referring the matter to the powerful Privileges Committee.
The move stems from the MP’s alleged persistent disregard for a formal parliamentary decision that removed him from the country’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament.
The verdict was delivered in the House today, November 27, by the Speaker.
The citation effectively accuses Mr. Afenyo-Markin of undermining the authority and mandate of the House by acting contrary to an official institutional directive.
The core of the issue revolves around the parliamentary delegation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament.
The act of contempt centres entirely on the MP’s purported failure to vacate his position and cease participation in the regional body’s proceedings.
Contempt of Parliament, as defined under Article 117 of the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament, includes any act or omission that obstructs, impedes, or affronts the dignity of the House or its committees.
By allegedly ignoring the decision of the House, the Minority Leader has triggered one of the most serious disciplinary procedures available to the Speaker.
The fate of the Minority Leader now rests with the Privileges Committee, which is tasked with investigating allegations of contempt and breaches of parliamentary privilege.
The committee is chaired by Bernard Ahiafor, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker, lending significant weight to the impending inquiry.
The committee’s mandate is judicial in nature, requiring it to thoroughly investigate the facts, hear evidence from all parties—including the Minority Leader—and then present a report with its recommendations back to the plenary session of Parliament.
Source: David Apinga
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