Is that democracy? – Minority in Parliament cry over Majority’s attempt to use SC to kick Adwoa Safo out
The Minority caucus in Parliament has lashed out at the Majority over threats to invoke the jurisdiction of the Apex Court to declare the Dome-Kwabenya seat vacant.
Legislator for Adansi Asokwa, KT Hammond, has revealed that the Supreme Court may be called upon following the decision by the Speaker to defer the determination of the matter referred to the Privileges Committee until when Parliament returns from recess in October.
Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim complained that such an action will be aimed at pushing the Supreme Court to give the Majority an advantage to approve the latest nominees appointed to the apex court.
“If they attempt to remove Clemence Honyenuga and send the Adwoa Safo’s case to the Supreme Court for it to declare the seat vacant for us to go for a by-election and tighten the hands of Parliament for us to pass the other four Supreme Court nominees, is that democracy? Isn’t the Supreme Court self-serving? They are using their numbers to disadvantage Parliament.”
The Privileges Committee delivered a split decision on the fate of Adwoa Safo who has been absent in Parliament beyond the mandatory 15 days without permission.
According to a copy of the report, the Majority wants the seat declared vacant while the Minority jumped to the defence of the absentee MP, saying she still needed to be given a chance to explain herself.
The Majority of MPs on the committee cited Article 97 (1) (c) of the 1992 Constitution and the Court of Appeal decision in the case of Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare v the Attorney General & 3 Ors.
