Bawku Central Member of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, was on Tuesday, escorted to an Accra High Court by some legal brains in parliament to begin his trial in a case of alleged evasion of taxes brought against him by the special prosecutor’s office.
Mr Ayariga’s appearance came after the trial judge had issued an order for him to appear before her by 1 pm Tuesday afternoon.
This is in spite of the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye’s request that the High Court schedules its processes so that the MP can be tried only when parliament is not sitting.
The Speaker had ruled that the constitution grants MPs partial immunity which must be respected.
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In a 13-minute ruling in response to a request from Mr Ayariga to appear in court, Prof Ocquaye insisted MPs were not above the law but they should not be distracted in line of their duties.
The MP had earlier written to the special prosecutor, Martin Amidu, saying he will be unable to show up in court due to parliamentary proceedings.
Meanwhile, Multimedia reporter, Joseph Ackah-Blay who was in court has reported that the trial judge has had a counter ruling to the Speaker of Parliament’s ruling.
The judge has ruled that the speaker’s certificate does not apply because Mr Ayariga was not a witness but rather, an accused person properly served, paving the way for the trial to start.
Source: Adomonline.com/Gertrude Otchere