President of the Professionals Forum of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sam Pee Yalley, has stated that the Minority in Parliament cannot protect Akwatia MP Ernest Yaw Kumi from facing legal consequences.
His remarks come amid controversy over Kumi’s swearing-in despite a court injunction.
Kumi was barred from taking the oath as an MP but proceeded to do so on January 7. The court later found him in contempt and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews on Saturday, February 22, Yalley questioned the legality of Kumi’s swearing-in and criticized the advice given to him by Minority leaders.
“I was in Parliament that day. The Clerk of Parliament clearly told Ernest Kumi that there was an injunction against him. I saw Kumi trying to organize himself to leave, but the Minority Leader intervened, saying, ‘Let the man be sworn in, and he will face the consequences.’ I thought that was poor advice, especially coming from a lawyer,” Yalley stated.
He stressed that parliamentary status does not grant immunity from legal accountability.
“Kumi cannot be protected just because he’s in Parliament. Politics teaches you that while you may stand among a crowd, you go home alone, and if the police want to pick you up, they will,” he added.