Speaker Alban Bagbin urges Supreme Court to clarify orders regarding Gyakye Quayson

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has emphasized the need for the Supreme Court to provide clarity on its orders to Parliament regarding the removal of records pertaining to deposed Assin North lawmaker, James Gyakye Quayson.

On Wednesday, May 17, the apex court unanimously ruled that the name of James Gyakye Quayson, Member of Parliament for Assin North, should be expunged from the records of Parliament.

The court’s decision followed an application filed by plaintiff Michael Ankomah Nimfah earlier this year, seeking a proper interpretation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution.

Article 94(2)(a) stipulates that a person shall not qualify to be a member of Parliament if they owe allegiance to a country other than Ghana.

During parliamentary proceedings on Thursday, June 8, Speaker Alban Bagbin highlighted the need for clarification, stating, “What has just transpired is strong evidence that there is a need for clarification. The order is based on a series of declaratory judgments by the court, it was not issued in isolation. There were four prior declaratory judgments stating that the election of the member was unconstitutional, null, void, and of no effect.”

Bagbin further explained that the court’s order did not specify that the Speaker or any individual Member of Parliament or Clerk should expunge the name.

Instead, it referred to the institution of Parliament as responsible for carrying out the order. The Speaker emphasized the importance of the institution collectively reasoning and finding a way to comply with the court’s directive.

Acknowledging the limits of his powers, Bagbin expressed his intention to seek clarification, stating, “I don’t want to assume powers that are not clearly defined by any law. Therefore, I have indicated and mentioned to some members of the Supreme Court that there is a need for clarification.”

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh